Kirinyaga County MP Njeri Maina has raised a general statement in the National Assembly calling on the government to make endometriosis diagnosis and treatment accessible and affordable to all Kenyan women and girls. Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, and infertility. The MP noted that the condition affects approximately one in every ten women and girls of reproductive age globally.
Njeri described the situation of many Kenyan women, who spend years moving between health facilities before receiving an accurate diagnosis. During this time, they miss school, lose employment opportunities, and accumulate significant medical costs. The absence of timely and affordable care exposes affected women and their families to suffering, stigma, and financial strain. The MP emphasized that endometriosis is not merely a private medical concern but a public-health, social, and economic issue.
The MP pointed out that women living outside major urban centers face particularly severe barriers to specialized care. She urged the government to decentralize diagnostic and treatment services to county and regional referral facilities nationwide. Njeri also called for endometriosis care to be formally integrated into Kenya's Universal Health Coverage agenda and covered under the Social Health Authority.
Njeri demanded stronger training for healthcare workers, comprehensive menstrual health education, and the development of clear national guidelines covering diagnosis, referral, treatment, and long-term management. The lawmaker argued that the national menstrual health agenda should go beyond distributing sanitary products and must include deliberate efforts to help girls and women recognize that severe or incapacitating menstrual pain is not normal and requires medical attention.
The MP paid tribute to the late Mary Njambi Koikai, an endometriosis advocate who died last year after a prolonged public battle with the condition. Koikai was credited with bringing endometriosis into the national spotlight and giving countless Kenyan women the courage to speak openly about their pain. Njeri said that the greatest homage to Koikai is to translate endometriosis awareness into meaningful policy and accessible healthcare.
Njeri's call to action aims to address the growing burden of endometriosis among Kenyan women and girls. The condition remains widely misdiagnosed and dismissed as ordinary menstrual discomfort. The MP's efforts seek to raise awareness and push for policy changes that will improve the lives of women and girls affected by endometriosis.
The issue of endometriosis is gaining attention in Kenya, with stakeholders pushing for increased awareness and improved healthcare services. The government's response to Njeri's call to action remains to be seen. However, the MP's efforts have sparked a conversation about the need for accessible and affordable endometriosis diagnosis and treatment in Kenya.
Key points
- Kirinyaga MP Njeri Maina calls for endometriosis care to be integrated into Universal Health Coverage.
- Endometriosis affects approximately one in every ten women and girls of reproductive age globally.
- Women living outside major urban centers face severe barriers to specialized care.
