On May 16, 2024, the UK Government through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), procured and delivered 450,000 doses of DMPA-SC (Sayana Press) contraceptives worth KES. 57 million (£348,000) to Kenya’s Ministry of Health. The handover ceremony took place at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), Embakasi Supply Chain Centre, marking a significant milestone in the Delivering Equitable and Sustainable Increases in Family Planning Programme (DESIP) in Kenya.
The event was attended by notable figures including Eduarda Mendonca-Gray, Deputy Development Director, British High Commission, and Anders Thomson, UNFPA Country Representative. The prime partner in the DESIP programme, Dr. Margaret Njenga, CEO of PS Kenya, also participated in the ceremony.
DESIP aims to enhance greater and equitable access and utilization of family planning services across 12 counties with low (<45%) modern contraceptive prevalence rates (mCPR) majority of whom are in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). As part of the programme support, FCDO has invested significant amount of resources to close the FP commodity gaps through procurement of these commodities. In February 2023, UK Government procured contraceptives worth KES. 500M consisting of injectable contraceptives, male and female condoms, hormonal IUDs, implants, and oral contraceptives through UNFPA and handed them over to KEMSA in a similar ceremony. In addition to widening the available contraceptive options, the current donation will benefit more than 400,000 women of reproductive age and avert 42,750 unintended pregnancies and 122 maternal deaths.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Eduarda Mendonca-Gray emphasized the UK Government’s commitment to improve reproductive health in Kenya. “The UK Government is dedicated to promoting equitable and sustainable family planning solutions. This contribution is a testament to our ongoing partnership with Kenya in advancing public health.”
Anders Thomson highlighted the importance of such collaborations in achieving broader health goals. “Ensuring that women have access to reliable contraceptives is crucial for their health and well-being. This initiative aligns with our mission to support Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights across the globe.”
The DESIP programme is funded by the UK Government and implemented by PS Kenya among other partners, is a strategic initiative to address the disparities in family planning in Kenya. Since its inception, the programme has contributed to significant progress in the SRH indicators in Kenya. Nine (9) of the 12 counties of focus registered increases in their modern contraceptive prevalence rates as per KDHS 2022. The programme has averted 1.5 million unintended pregnancies, 3,900 maternal deaths and over 330,000 unsafe abortions. . The programme has also achieved 3.1 million couple years of protection and over 300,000 FP additional users. Through its’ social marketing component, DESIP has distributed over 23 million condoms, 3.7 million pills, and 56,000 injectables. These efforts ensure that women and girls can safely plan their pregnancies and improve their SRHR, contributing to their overall health and empowerment.
This handover marked a pivotal step in enhancing reproductive health services and highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing public health challenges.
