By Sharon Onyango
Department of Health and Sanitation is making significant strides in strengthening reproductive health services through its partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a collaboration that continues to enhance access to quality family planning and maternal healthcare while promoting long-term sustainability.
The partnership is helping the county transition from donor-dependent interventions to county-owned and funded health systems, ensuring that essential reproductive health services remain accessible to communities for years to come.
Speaking during a review of the Programme Implementing Team Meeting public health officials highlighted key achievements that have transformed service delivery across health facilities. Among the notable milestones is improved family planning commodity security through strengthened supply chain management and routine monitoring, significantly reducing stockouts and ensuring clients receive uninterrupted services.
The county has also recorded increased uptake of Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) following the integration of family planning services into maternal and newborn care right from antenatal period through postnatal. This approach enables mothers to receive family planning counselling and services improving convenience while supporting informed reproductive health choices.
Data remains central to the county's decision-making process. Through the National MOH-512 reporting tool, the data will be used to improve health facility indicators in relation to Maternal health
These interventions complement the county's broader commitment to improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health through supportive legislation, including the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Act 2024, which provides a sustainable legal and financing framework for these services.
With strengthened partnerships, data-driven planning, reliable financing and integrated service delivery, Siaya County continues to build a resilient healthcare system that expands access to quality reproductive health services and improves health outcomes for women, children and families across the county.