Nairobi: Half of the women who seek abortions in Kenya resort to unsafe methods, leading to dire health consequences, health officials have warned. An estimated 21,000 women in Kenya are hospitalized due to complications from unsafe abortions annually, with approximately 2,600 fatalities. Contributing factors include limited access to safe services, high costs, inadequate legal frameworks, and poor sexuality education.

According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Albert Ndwiga, the Family Planning Program Manager at the Ministry of Health, revealed that about 792,694 women seek abortions each year, with half of these pregnancies being unintended. Dr. Ndwiga presented these statistics during the National World Contraception Day event held at Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, Makueni County. He emphasized that most women seeking abortions do so because of unplanned pregnancies, even though they are aware of family planning methods.

Dr. Ndwiga warned against coercion in reproductive decisions, asserting that women should have the autonomy to make informed choices about their bodies without external pressure. He underscored the importance of family planning for the nation’s health and economic well-being and highlighted the challenge posed by reduced donor funding, urging a shift towards domestic financing.

Efforts are underway to develop Kenya’s first national family planning policy, aimed at addressing current challenges and promoting male involvement. The policy is expected to be completed by 2025 following public consultations.

Addressing the event, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged the national government to boost investment in family planning services and enhance youth-friendly initiatives. She advocated for universal health coverage for reproductive health, ensuring affordable and accessible contraception for all Kenyans. Mulili also called for improved data systems to ensure resources effectively reach those in need.

The Makueni county government is actively addressing maternal health by establishing Mother and Child hospitals, with ongoing projects in Sultan Hamud, Kibwezi, and Mbooni Sub-counties. The event also featured County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua and other stakeholders from the health sector.