Disarray in SHA implementation leaves teenage mothers facing challenges
In Kenya, efforts are being made to improve the registration and care of adolescent pregnant girls in smaller health centres and dispensaries. However, the organisations spearheading these initiatives remain unnamed in the available search results. Typically, these efforts involve collaborations between local health authorities, international NGOs, and community-based organisations, aiming to enhance healthcare access and data registration in rural or smaller health facilities.
One of the main challenges faced is the delay and gaps in the system, with many teen mothers only receiving attention after delivery rather than during pregnancy. This is problematic as the care during pregnancy is crucial for the health and wellbeing of teen mothers.
The Special Health Insurance (SHA) scheme for teenage mothers has been established to address this issue, with a policy suggesting that teenage mothers are entitled to a dedicated package of services under the new health insurance scheme. The SHA is proactive in registering adolescent deliveries at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), while smaller hospitals often overlook this.
However, registering pregnant teenagers as beneficiaries of their parents limits their access to services, which was a concern initially addressed by the SHA. They have tried to avoid registering teenage mothers under their parents' accounts to ensure they receive post-delivery support independently. The government pays for indigent teen mothers if they are registered.
Teen mothers are integrated into a broader program for vulnerable groups, including Linda Mama. However, like the SHA, this program may also face delays and gaps in the system. To bridge this gap, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are expected to educate families and link adolescents to designated desks at Level 4 hospitals.
Dispensaries and health centres, often the first point of contact, rarely register teenage mothers, shifting the workload to referral hospitals. This issue is further complicated by the fact that teen mothers are not always receiving care during pregnancy due to these delays and gaps in the system.
To address this, an official at SHA stated that a special identification number should be issued to teenage mothers for access to care. This number is only issued at Level 4, 5, and 6 hospitals. Without stronger involvement of lower-level facilities, many teen mothers miss out on quality care.
Despite the existence of the health scheme for teenage mothers, many adolescents continue to struggle. The need to prove their need to avoid abuse of the program means that teen mothers are not asked to pay for the services they receive. This is a critical step towards ensuring that every teen mother in Kenya receives the care and support they need during pregnancy and beyond.
