The government has today announced that the ban on post abortion care services in Marie Stopes Kenya has been lifted and Marie Stopes Kenya be directed to ensure all its procedures are carried out in line with the Laws of Kenya.
Health CS Sicily Kariuki said that the mariestopes abortion matter was brought to her through a petition by Thomas Ireri and Anne Kioko of CitizenGo Africa who alleged that Marie Stopes Kenya was advocating for abortion through advertisements running on Radio Africa stations.
The petition also alleged that this was despite the said advertisements being banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board. The petitioners requested the CS to initiate investigations into the operations of Marie Stopes Kenya Clinics.
In line with this petition, Sicily Kariuki tasked the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, a statutory body under her ministry, established under CAP 253 Of the Laws Of Kenya to regulate the practice Of medicine, dentistry and health institutions in the country, to inquire into this matter.
“I note that The Board has fully investigated this matter, parties given a fair hearing, random inspections carried out and sample files reviewed to ensure compliance with the law. Further, the Board has confirmed to me that Marie Stopes Kenya has complied with the orders issued on 10th November, 2018 including:
- Deactivating their 0800- toll free number for telehealth during this period and the corresponding advertisements
- Submitting 100 sample patient files from various facilities to the Board for review and examination
- Suspending all abortion related services in all its facilities.” reads statement
Having reviewed the observartions and determination of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, she gave the following directives
- Marie Stopes Kenya and all health practitioners and health institutions in Kenya must adhere to the provisions of article 26(4) Constitution of Kenya, 2010 which provides that Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law
- Marie Stopes Kenya complies with all the other Orders given by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board and ensure their operations are in total compliance with the relevant Laws of Kenya including submission of letter of commitment to the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board that they will not carry out any abortions services on demand
The Health CS also ordered the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to continous carry out regular supervison Of the operations Of Marie Stopes Kenya and to submit corresponding reports to her office.
PRESS RELEASE:
STATUS ON MARIE STOPES KENYA CLINICS pic.twitter.com/LbJWLa3UyY— CS Sicily Kariuki (@SicilyKariuki) December 20, 2018