Lynn Kanyuuru
As the MCSP-Kenya senior FP advisor, I have been leading in one of our mandates of increasing CPR and reducing unmet need in Migori and Kisumu Counties of Kenya . This has included the introduction of Levonorgestrel Intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the public sector, a first for developing countries. MCSP received free LNG-IUS from the International Contraceptive Access Foundation. The introduction has included advocacy with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders; the development of the learning resource package; the training of health workers and the development of a supply and reporting system. On completion of the study (early 2018), documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt and study findings will be done. From Oct 2016 to date, more than 300 IUDs have been inserted.
I believe that families should have choice. Choice in when to start having families, how many children to have, how spaced the children are and when to stop having children. This choice should be for all, regardless of where they live, what they have and who they are. It is this believe that has made me work with stakeholders to strengthen the Kenya FP program, working at the national policy level, building the capacity of health workers and empowering families at the community level.
Kenya is one of the first developing countries to introduce LNG-IUS in the public sector. I will use this platform and the grant to share the lessons learnt and disseminate findings from the introduction, important for countries looking to do the same. I will also continue to advocate for increased access to FP to allow families to decide when they want to begin having children, how far apart they want their children to be and when they want to stop having children.
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