“Reproductive health is a
state of complete physical, mental, emotional and social well-being
and not merely absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters
relating to the reproductive health system and to its functions
and processes.”
- International Conference
on Population and Development, 1994
In the first two decades after independence, Kenya
experienced a rapid increase in fertility and a substantial decline
in death rates, resulting in increased population growth. In response,
in 1967 the government launched a National Family Planning Programme
– the first sub-Saharan African (SSA) country to do so.
The aims of the programme included promoting the health of the
Kenyan people and the country’s economic development.
Several major milestones have been achieved in the
health indicators of the population of Kenya. The death rate,
for example, has declined steadily from 25 deaths per 1000 people
in 1948 to the current 11 deaths per 1000 people. The current
population of Kenya, according to the 1999 Housing and Population
Census, stands at approximately 34 million people.
Despite these achievements, however, high maternal
morbidity and mortality persist, particularly those associated
with prolonged and obstructed labour, unsafe abortion, haemorrhage,
hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, sepsis, anaemia, malaria,
and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
Unmet need for contraceptive methods, inequitable access to health
care facilities, a burgeoning youth population, gender inequity
and other factors enhance the challenges inherent in addressing
these and related problems.
What does DRH
do?
The Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) of the
Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) plans, implements and monitors
programmes to promote the reproductive health of the Kenyan people.
Its goal is to ensure provision of a comprehensive, integrated
system of reproductive health care, through a range of services
offered by the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
and the private sector. DRH addresses the reproductive health
needs of Kenyans by focusing on the following programmatic areas
:
The DRH strategy for addressing needs in these areas
includes promoting the concept of reproductive health; integrating
health care services and improving the quality of care offered;
identifying and mobilizing resources; and conducting reproductive
health research.
DRH Mission
and Values
DRH is guided by the national reproductive health
strategy, which is a national response to the Programme of Action
of the 1994 United Nations Conference on Population and Development
(ICPD). The strategy was endorsed by 179 countries including Kenya.
DRH Organisational
structure
Contact
Details
DIVISON OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Old Mbagathi Way
P. O. BOX 43319-00100
NAIROBI.
TEL. +254-20-2721183, FAX. +254-20-2721183; Email:
drh@africaonline.co.ke
