The Ministry of Health has unveiled a site that will allow young people to access and share information about sexual and reproductive health.
At the launch, George Rae, Kisumu county’s acting CEC for Health said the ministry was pleased to have this public-private cooperation, which would bring together like-minded groups to develop practical solutions that would improve Kenyans’ lives.
“We are in the digital age, and as such, there is a need to ensure young people are able to access online tools to advance their lives. The government has put in place a raft of measures to create an environment conducive for innovation that will positively impact all Kenyans, including the young people,” said Rae.
The site, Lifeyangu.com is a portal that will provide information to Kenyans aged 18 to 24 years old, allowing them to quickly access sexual and reproductive health care by mapping out nearby health facilities.
Nearby reproductive health services and contraceptive alternatives among other things are now available to the youth.
According to the Ministry of Health, the effort aims to address the difficulty in finding reputable reproductive health specialists and information online, as well as the growing need to equip adolescents with this knowledge.
For the initial phase of the project, 106 public clinics have been identified.
The digital tool, according to Evelyn Samba, DSW Kenya’s Country Director, aims to reduce pressure points for young people seeking reproductive health information.
“The aim of this platform is to provide a space where youth find accurate and appropriate information and where their questions and concerns stay private- and will not expose them to stigma and suspicion by peers and parents/guardians,” said Samba.