Four years after the Lamu County government launched a Sh136 million family planning project, the uptake of contraceptive services is still low.
The Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (FP CIP) was launched in 2018.
The programme, which was to run for three years, sought to accelerate the adoption of modern contraceptives among women from 43 percent at the time to at least 46 percent by 2020.
Though the objective has been achieved, with the use of family planning now at 49 percent, it is still below the national rate of 58.1 percent.
In an interview with Nation.Africa, Health Executive Anne Gathoni cited several factors for the low uptake, including socio-cultural beliefs, myths about contraceptives and religious teachings that generally influence perceptions about modern family planning.
Ms Gathoni, however, encouraged residents to plan their families in order to comfortably meet their needs.
She noted that women and girls who use modern methods of contraception are better suited to ensure the security, education, and well-being of their families.
She also called on men to be at the forefront in spearheading family planning, arguing it will be difficult for any county to develop if it is not in control of its population growth.
“Family planning coverage across Lamu is at 49 percent for women of child-bearing age. Uptake is still low and it is because many men here have turned a deaf ear to family planning and left it to their wives,” Ms Gathoni said.
“Men still think it’s only women who should commit to family planning. I advise them to stand with their wives in advocating family planning as it benefits us all.”
In interviews with Nation.Africa, several women in remote parts of Lamu, including Boni forest and in villages near the Somalia border, said county officials had failed to equip health centres so that they can provide family planning services.
Mrs Fatma Hamisi, of Milimani village, said the local dispensary was closed almost eight years ago and that accessing even normal medical services is a nightmare.
“We have no hospital or simple dispensary in our area yet they expect us to undertake family planning. How can that happen? They haven’t conducted education and promotion about FP. We depend on the grace of God here. We don’t have a family plan,” said Ms Hamisi.
Khadija Sharif, of Ishakani village, said women often deliver their babies at home due to the poor health infrastructure in the area.
“We don’t have maternal health services here. We don’t go to clinics because dispensaries are far away and unequipped. We’re used to delivering at home. That clearly tells you we have no knowledge about family planning here,” she said.
Pandanguo village elder Sharuti Ali called for the adoption of proper mechanisms to promote voluntary family planning. BY DAILY NATION