By S, KNA
The Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA) is calling for the integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) into palliative care services to ensure holistic, patient-centred care that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of individuals living with life-limiting illnesses.
Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of an SRH toolkit, KEHPCA Executive Director, David Musyoki, underscored the need to make integrated reproductive health services accessible to patients receiving palliative care.
The toolkit aligns with the National Palliative Care Policy and seeks to empower healthcare providers to deliver SRH services with respect, sensitivity, and adherence to legal and ethical standards, ultimately improving patients’ dignity and quality of life.
It also serves as a practical resource for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates working to integrate SRH into palliative care, contributing to a more inclusive and patient-centred healthcare system.
Despite progress made, Musyoki noted that integration remains inadequate, with only 124 healthcare facilities, mostly located in major towns offering palliative care services nationwide.
“These are sites serving close to 50 million people. Of course, not everyone is affected, but we still have counties and areas where palliative care has not yet been integrated,” said Musyoki, adding that rural communities remain underserved.
He challenged health stakeholders, including the government, to ensure equitable access to integrated and comprehensive palliative care services in both urban and rural areas.
The Executive Director explained that SRH concerns affect many patients, and palliative care is designed to provide holistic support to individuals and families facing life-threatening conditions.
“These include conditions that are difficult to cure, such as advanced organ diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other complex illnesses. Patients with such conditions require holistic care and support, and reproductive health is a critical component of that care,” he said.
To address the workforce gap, the association is advocating for expanded training of healthcare workers in palliative care, alongside ongoing on-the-job training initiatives.
KEHPCA also called for the full integration of palliative care into Taifa Care under the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that current coverage primarily caters to inpatients while excluding many outpatients.
“Many patients with life-threatening conditions may not require admission per se. They need care and support while in the comfort of their homes. Home-based care, which falls under primary healthcare, is therefore a significant need,” Musyoki added.
Dr Anisa Mburu, a Consultant Gynecologic Oncologist and Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, revealed that 69 per cent of Kenyan adults require some form of palliative care due to non-communicable diseases.
“The most important issue is that sexual and reproductive health has not been addressed as adequately as it should,” she said, adding that the toolkit will help healthcare workers and patients better understand SRH and facilitate open discussions despite cultural sensitivities surrounding sexual matters.
Edwin Gitonga, Manager of Laikipia Palliative Care Centre, urged county governments to make palliative care services free and called on the SHA to extend coverage to outpatients to ease the financial burden, particularly for cancer patients.
“Cancer is financially, psychologically, and physically draining. When patients receive adequate support, it significantly improves their quality of life. Palliative care begins at diagnosis and continues through to end-of-life care. It is time we dispel the misconception that palliative care only starts at stage four,” said Gitonga.
He further appealed for improved supply of morphine, citing challenges faced by hospices nationwide. “We are facing a serious crisis in accessing morphine,” he said.
