“I want to humbly ask couples to walk together when going for family planning sessions so that everybody can be equipped with the knowledge and choose the appropriate family planning method that suits them,” -Ms Christine Naliaka, County Reproductive Health Coordinator Bungoma County
Men in Bungoma County have been advised to embrace family planning in a bid to support their wives in the management of their families. Speaking at the Bungoma County Referral Hospital (BCRH) Pediatric section on Monday to mark World Contraception day, Ms Christine Naliaka, the County Reproductive Health Coordinator said that it is shameful that it is just a few men who want to be associated with family planning. The officer said that it was important for men to be involved in the process as it creates harmony and enables the couples to make wise decisions together, a very low number of men show up for family planning sessions.
“I want to humbly ask couples to walk together when going for family planning sessions so that everybody can be equipped with the knowledge and choose the appropriate family planning method that suits them,” Ms Naliaka noted. She added that those seeking family planning sessions in Bungoma County have improved from 30% in 2014 to 46% in 2022.
“Men and Women seeking family planning services in Bungoma County are still low though it has increased to 46%, we need to increase the FP advocacy in Bungoma and its environs,” she said. However, Ms Naliaka said that out of the 35% of adolescents in Bungoma County only 13% visit health facilities and attend family planning sessions.
She said that Bungoma County health facilities are working in line with this year’s theme ‘ Break the myth’ by providing family planning services in all facilities in the county. “Anybody seeking a family planning session can avail himself/herself at any health facility and get information on family planning methods,” she said.
She added those who are using a certain family planning method can still visit a health facility and switch to the favourite one as per their choice. The officer noted that the data analysis by the County Health Management Team (CHMT) reveals that the most used family planning method in the county is injection followed by implants.
She added that many choose injection because one jab lasts for 3 months. However, she pointed out that 25% of the couples in the county are practicing family planning silently. “I ask the couples to be sincere to their partners during family planning plans,” she said. Michael Waithaka, the champion who underwent vasectomy, said that he took the initiative to plan the number of children to have. Mr Waithaka dismissed claims that family planning has side effects. “I had a vasectomy 3 years ago but I haven’t seen any side effects, I am a happy man and my wife is happy too,” he said, adding that he is a father of two boys.
Mr. Moses Ouma the youth Champion from Stage Media Arts (SMA) Organization, called on the youths to practice family planning. Mr Ouma added that the organization normally advocates for family planning programs. “Our organization SMA works with other small organizations within Bungoma and beyond to advocate for family planning methods and their importance,” Mr Ouma added. The organizations that are supporting family planning in Bungoma include; the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health network, Evidence for Action (E4A) and Stage Media Arts (SMA).
