Analysis of the National Reproductive Health Policy in Kenya (Term Paper Sample)

EMMANUEL MULAA
X53/87759/2016
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING-XET 548
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
ANAYLSIS OF THE NATIONAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH POLICY, 2007 KENYA
POLICY GOAL
The policy formulated in 2007, with the aim of improving the reproductive health states of all Kenyans through equitable access to quality, efficient and effective to service delivery. Previously, implementation of the reproductive health program had been done using the National Reproductive Health Strategy (1997-2000).
POLICY OBJECTIVES
The main policy objectives were reducing maternal, peri-natal and neonatal morbidity and mortality; reducing unmet family planning needs; improving sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth; promote gender equality and equity in reproductive health issues and reducing the burden diseases associated with reproductive health such as HIV/AIDS, cancers( breast and cervical in women and prostate and testicular in men), reproductive tract infections and infertility.
HIGHLIGHTS
a)Formulation
This policy was formulated by the Ministry of health in conjunction with other actors; development partners, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, civil society and the private sector. The policy was formulated with major components upon which priority areas of action were based to ensure the desired results are achieved.
These components and their priority actions broadly summarized included
* Safe motherhood, maternal and neonatal health: Actions to be done included increasing access to skilled care for pregnant mothers including referral, information and increasing capacity of health facilities.
* Family planning: Expected actions included increasing contraceptive prevalence rate(CPR), health education and guarantee contraceptive commodity security.
* Adolescent/youth sexual and reproductive health: Actions were multi-sectoral approach in advocacy and sexual information provision and increased access to integrated youth friendly health services.
* Gender issues, sexual and reproductive rights: Actions to be done were increased access to quality treatment and rehabilitative reproductive health services, empower women in decision making and promote men involvement in reproductive health decisions.
* Reproductive health diseases: Priority actions included improving access to quality health services( including access to medication supply), health information and strengthening capacity of health facilities that would reduce the burdenof HIV/AIDS, reproductive system cancers and reproductive tract infections.
b)Implementation
This policy was to be implemented in line with the National Health Sector Strategic Plan II 2005-2010 and ERSWEC collaboration with the non-government organizations, civil society and private sector. Under the common service delivery package, the Kenya Essential Package for Health (KEPH) that determines the level of health provided at each level of health facility, the health package is defined as a high priority package.
Health systems that include human resources, financial resources and other support systems that improve access to reproductive health were to be improved and strengthened.
The responsibility of directing, resource mobilization, supervision as concerns this policy lay with the division of reproductive health(DRH) in the ministry of health. Decentalization was also promoted by having the reproductive health issues at provincial and district levels handled at that lower by the Provincial Health Management Teams(PHMT) and the District Health Management Team(DHMT). At the facility level the mandate lay with the Facility Health Management Team.
POLICY STRENGTHS
The policy recognizes that that reproductive health is a human right, a fact also captured in the Kenyan Constitution.
The policy recognizes and appreciates the role of stakeholders in the health sector in Kenya. These stakeholders include development partners, the civil society, faith-based organizations(FBOs) and community based organizations(CBOs).
The policy was a comprehensive one. It clearly captures the Kenya Essential Package of Health and its relevant in reproductive health.
Existence of corresponding health policy that this policy creates a strong synergy with e.g. National Health Sector Strategic Plan II(2005-2010).
POLICY WEAKNESSES
Policy weaknesses that cause poor adherence to policy. This is caused by a weak im