The Ministry of Health has launched a plan to end the 'Triple Threat' posed by the new HIV infections, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and teenage pregnancy.
The "End the Triple Threat Commitment plan" is expected to be resultant by 2027.
A total of 254,753 pregnancies were reported among adolescents aged between the ages of 10 to 19 years in 2023.
Data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) shows 12, 966 of the pregnancies were reported among adolescents aged between 10 to 14 years while 241,757 were among those aged 15 to 19 years.
The data presented by the NSDCC CEO Ruth Laibon-Masha during the just concluded 14th Kemri Annual Scientific and Health conference on February 16, 2024, showed that adolescents accounted for 17 per cent of antenatal clinic clients in 2023.
This is a slight drop from 260,734 cases in 2022, 316,187 in 2021 and 331,549 cases in 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakumicha said the government has resolved to equip technical personnel and administrative officers with the necessary skills and information to combat the challenges effectively.
She spoke during the closing of the Women Leadership Summit in Bungoma on Saturday.
"This Commitment Plan is a crucial step towards empowering our adolescents and young people while safeguarding them from inequalities and health vulnerabilities," she said.
The CS emphasised the utilisation of technology, revealing the plan to collaborate with her ICT counterpart Eliud Owalo to explore ways of recording the perpetrators of sexual violence.
At the same time, the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) underscored the urgency of addressing the 'Triple Threat'.
It noted the detrimental impact on efforts to end the HIV pandemic in the country.
NSDCC identified Sexually Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and teenage pregnancy as indicators of heightened HIV infection risks.
On Friday, Nakhumicha revealed that in 2023 health data indicated that 254,000 expectant girls visited health facilities for family planning and antenatal Care (ANC) among others.
She said that in the 15 counties in Kenya, 15 per cent of attendees at the Antenatal Care clinics were adolescents aged 10-19 years, noting that the counties also reported a high proportion of 18 per cent cases of gender-based violence against children and adolescents.
"The consequences for sexual violence and child motherhood are dire, has also posed long-lasting psychological and physical challenges, babies born to these young mothers also experience advance health outcomes leading to a strain in health and economic outcomes of the nation," she said.
The country's commitments under the ICPD25 include enhancing the health standards of adolescents and youth by comprehensively addressing the 'Triple Threat'.
MoH said through collective action and unwavering commitment, Kenya aims to pave the way for a healthier, safer, and more empowered future for all.
