Gates Foundation to Launch 8-Year Contraceptive Option in Kenya

According to Anita Zaidi, President of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, the foundation is rolling out the new hormonal IUD contraceptive in Kenya, Nigeria, and India.

A hormonal IUD is a long-acting, reversible contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus and releases progestin, a synthetic hormone. The hormone thickens cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching and potentially fertilizing an egg, and can also prevent ovulation. 

"A new hormonal IUD designed for affordability and a user-centered experience is being launched in Kenya, Nigeria, and possibly India," Zaidi said.

Furthermore, the foundation is expected to roll out DMPA-SC, which is a self-injectable contraceptive, to more than 35 countries globally, including 8 in Africa, such as the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia.

The initiatives, according to Zaidi, are part of the Gates Foundation's $2.5 billion (Ksh324 billion) Commitment to elevate research and development exclusively focused on women’s health, across five areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

 

The five-priority areas, according to the foundation, include improving maternal health, including obstetric care, understanding gut health and nutrition, improving gynaecological and menstrual health, expanding contraceptive options, and addressing sexually transmitted infections in women.

 

"The commitment builds on the foundation’s 25-year legacy of work in maternal and child health, aiming to help end preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensure the next generation grows up free from deadly infectious diseases, and lift millions out of poverty by 2045," Zaidi said.

 

Modern contraceptive use in Kenya has grown significantly over the years, with more women adopting family planning methods to manage and prevent unintended pregnancies.

 

In Kenya, contraceptive options such as pills, injections, implants, IUDs, condoms, sterilization, and emergency contraception have been widely adopted, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

Almost two months ago, the Ministry of Health confirmed that it had received 186,072 contraceptive commodities,  which were to be distributed across the country. 

 

The commodities were funded through the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and procured through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

 

In a statement on Wednesday, June 18, Medical Services Principal Secretary, Ouma Olunga, said that the contraceptives include 16,272 sets of Levoplant, 69,800 doses of DMPA-SC, and 100,000 sets of Jadelle.

 

Ouma affirmed that the commodities will play a vital role in averting over 131,000 unintended pregnancies, reducing unsafe abortions, and reducing contraceptive stockouts in healthcare facilities.