INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Infertility in Kenya is quite rampant and an impairment in the active African society. According to the latest research by Aga Khan University Hospital, shows that every one in 4 to 8 women visiting a gynecologist in Kenya today has some difficulty in conceiving.

Childless women in Kenya suffer discrimination, stigma and even ostracism, such that women feel isolated in family get-together and may fail to participate in family talks regarding children for fear of ridicule and criticism. They are burdened with deep disappointments for they are considered and talked about as cursed and may bear with extra marital relationships that their husbands tend to have if not being divorced.

Kenya being a low income country, infertility prevention and care is not given the required attention and interest when it comes to health issues.

It is from this background that Fertility Kenya was founded.  This is a Medical and Health Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) registered in 2015 by the NGO Board of Kenya to address the plight of women and men affected by infertility. The NGO was founded as a result of our Founder Cecelia Karanja having suffered from infertility for eleven years and two failed marriages. After the storm, she is now a proud mother of three healthy children.

The organization implements awareness activities that give hope and provide a chance of parenthood to all affected by the condition. Since then, the NGO has actively been at the forefront fighting the stigma and myths associated with infertility.

Fertility treatments are not covered by medical insurance covers offered in Kenya, and this treatment is very expensive in hospitals offering this services. A common cause of infertility includes;

1. Infrequent or failure to ovulate
2. Problem with transport of sperms
3. Blocked tubes mainly due to previous sex infections
4. Advancement in age especially after age of 35yrs for women
5. When couples postponed child bearing due to careers

Fertility Kenya has registered members from all over the country with a registered membership scale of up to 3000 individuals. 30% of the members have successfully undergone IVF treatment and conceived while another 20% have had successful laparoscopy surgery. There is about 50% who are awaiting treatment citing the high cost of treatment as a barrier.

OBJECTIVES

1. To increase the access of women and men to appropriate and quality fertility treatment in the most affordable way, as well as provide information and related services in regard to fertility.
2. To develop monthly meetings for education and awareness creation of infertility condition and available treatment.
3. To fully eradicate the stigma borne by women and men struggling with infertility.
4. To create a platform where our African set up will embrace persons struggling with infertility to support and not to condemn them.
5. To ensure all insurance companies embrace the fertility cover in their package.
6. To ensure the government passes into law any pending bill in regards to fertility.
7. To ensure companies negotiate on behalf of their staff in regards to insurance covering them in their package.