IN SUMMARY
- The World is set to mark the World Contraception Day tomorrow (Sep 26th)
- Women forced to use pills
- Nairobi City County Finance bill proposes Charges for persons seeking family planning services
As the World is set to mark the World Contraception Day tomorrow (Sep 26th) , there seems to be nothing to smile about for Nairobi residents.
The Nairobi City County Finance bill has proposed charges for persons seeking family planning services.
At a time where stakeholders are calling for Free family planning services, this might be a major setback.
The theme of this year’s World Contraception Day, is “The Power of Options”
Health facilities in Nairobi have offered limited options to young women seeking family planning services.
Zachariah Kahwai , Director Link Empowerment Initiative Githurai, says women have been forced to use available family planning options as compared to their preferred choice,
‘’Unapata madem wanaenda kwa facilities wanaambiwa watumie pills, which is not there preferred choice of contraceptive, na sasa kwa sababu majority ni teenagers hawana options mingi’’
Proposed Family Planning Charges
A look at The Nairobi City County Finance Bill, persons seeking family planning services will have to pay close to 500Ksh.
- The proposed charges are as follows
- Consultation specialist – 400
- Consultation general 200
- Implant check up 100
- Implant insertion- 300
- Implant removal 300
- IUCD Insertion- 400
- IUCD removal 300
Asked what might be the impact of this , Zachariah says young girls will have limited access to family planning services .
‘’Hii inaharibu chances za madem kupata hizi services walikuwa wamezoea kupata for free, na already wasee mtaani wanalia high cost of living ‘’
He says there needs to be free access and free choice when it comes to family planning.
He adds that this are some of the concerns they will raise at the public participation forums taking place this week before the bill is passed.
