Baringo County has embarked on a strategy to involve men in contraception choices in reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity.
This rallying call was made after the county failed to meet set targets on contraceptive uptake, especially among women of reproductive age brackets influenced negatively by their spouses due to the patriarchal nature of the local communities.
A report from the health department presented by the Nursing Officer in charge of Baringo County Referral Hospital, Lenna Kosgei, indicates that the county recorded a paltry 28.91 per cent against the projected target of 58,518 women in the 2023 period.
The report given during World Contraception Day celebrations officiated by Chief Officer (CO) for Public Health Evans Ruto indicated that the low contraception uptake led to teenage pregnancies that stood at 16.8 per cent.
Ruto urged men in the county to come out strongly and champion modern contraceptives, which have been proven to work as they ensure that women get pregnant at their healthiest period and when they are ready to have a child.
The CO called for support from partners and stakeholders, adding the county administration was working towards bridging the gap of unmet need of contraceptives within the area by raising champions who have made commitments towards mobilisation of the community to embrace family planning services.
County Director of Medical Services, Dr. Kibet Kangor, challenged the public to rally behind this year’s theme of “Contraception Choices: Power is in My Hands” and noted that all health facilities across the county will be offering free family planning services for the next one month to achieve set targets.
Dr. Kangor at the same time appealed to health care workers from the county to document the exercise in order to plan and forecast while reaching out to all those who cannot access health facilities.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
