The Siaya County Department of Health received a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) Kenya with the purpose to evaluate the state of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in the region thoroughly. This visit was done as a follow up measure in improving health services and performance indicators specific to Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health /Reproductive Health.
The following areas are targeted by the assessment with the view of ascertaining the critical gaps and compatible areas in which WHO could support the health targets of Siaya County. In targeting the special needs of the county, the WHO and the local ministries of health are endeavoring to develop a more practical and lasting strategy for the advancement of the health of the inhabitants especially on issues to do with SRHR.
During the visit, one of the focal areas of concern that was addressed concerned strategies of improving post-abortal care within the county. This includes increasing the availability of twenty-four (24) hour safe and sensitive services to those women who develop post abortion complications. Furthermore, the conversations focused on enhancing the status of family planning services which should enable people and families make choices regarding reproduction. The WHO team stressed the need to ensure the accessibility and availability of all the contraceptives, as well as education and counseling to ensure that people who want to avoid pregnancy can do it, and people who want to have children can do it as well, given the high trends of unwanted pregnancies.
Another emergent area of concern is gender-based violence (GBV) especially defilement, which is cited for cause of teenage pregnancies in the region. The WHO is actively involved in partnering with Siaya County in addressing these problems through the following; increasing the access to services for GBV victims, fortifying legal and health systems as well as encouraging the promotion of the no violence against women and girls campaigns. Combating GBV will also contribute to preventing teenage pregnancies, but the focus should also be on supporting teenage girls and women to live full, healthy lives.
As with other areas that the WHO is presently involved with in Siaya County, the aim is to help reform the remaining health centers and build more centers for extensive outreach. Such efforts are targeted at making it possible for those in need to access high quality sexual and reproductive health care services irrespective of their geographical location.
Improving efficiency of the medical equipment, improving the infrastructure of the health care facilities and training of local health care workers are some of the long-term measures aimed at making the health system more effective in response to health risks. It is therefore important to acknowledge the effort that has been made by the Siaya County Department of Health and the WHO by partnering in the promotion of SRHR in the county as well as in improving the health standards of all population in the county.