Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri pushes for endometriosis care to be included in UHC as women face delayed diagnosis

Nairobi, Kenya - Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri is advocating for endometriosis to be recognized as a public health issue and incorporated into Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework. The chronic condition, characterized by the growth of tissue similar to uterine lining outside the uterus, often goes undiagnosed due to limited awareness and inadequate access to specialized care.

This leads to prolonged suffering, delayed diagnosis, and significant financial hardship for thousands of women and girls. Njeri emphasizes that endometriosis is not just a private medical concern but a public health, social, and economic issue that affects women's dignity, equality, and well-being. She highlights that women with endometriosis may spend years moving between health facilities before receiving a proper diagnosis, which can severely impact their education, employment, and household finances.

To address the issue, Njeri calls for endometriosis care to be integrated into UHC and covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), with efforts to bring specialized services closer to patients through county and regional referral facilities. She also urges the government to enhance training for healthcare workers, develop national guidelines for diagnosis, referral, treatment, and long-term management, and conduct research to determine the prevalence and socioeconomic impact of endometriosis.

Njeri stresses the need for a shift in menstrual health messaging, beyond access to sanitary products, to educate women and girls about recognizing symptoms that require medical attention. She pays tribute to late media personality Mary Njambi Koikai, known as Jahmby Koikai, who raised awareness about endometriosis in Kenya and encourages the government to turn increased awareness into concrete measures for early diagnosis, affordable treatment, and improved access to specialized care.