Deborah Monari: Meet Nairobi nurse who filed petition against plan to increase Family Planning Fees

Debora Monari, a nurse and human rights advocate with Nguvu Collective Change, petitioned and successfully stopped the bill that would have made contraception and other family planning services unaffordable to women of reproductive age.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, she stated that charging for essential health care services is harmful and would have hampered progress in the fight against unplanned pregnancies, HIV, and unsafe abortions.

“I received photos of the proposed bill that intended to introduce new charges on contraceptives and other reproductive health procedures in level 4 hospitals," she said. 

"The charges were a bit too high and would have left out  a lot of women especially in the informal settlements, yet they should be affordable if not free.”

She started an online petition on Change.org, which drew support from Nairobi residents, SRHR organizations, and Kenyans across the country who stood in solidarity with us.

This was not just a health or consumer rights issue, according to Monari. It is about their right to reproductive healthcare and the ability to make decisions about their own bodies and health.

The petition emphasized the potential harm that the proposed bill could cause, highlighting how it would restrict access to essential healthcare services, such as contraception and family planning, in Level 4 hospitals.

“If the bill had passed, women from vulnerable backgrounds and disadvantaged families would not be able to afford them. Under the proposed law, it would cost KSh.500 to insert or remove an implant, KSh.350 to insert an IUCD and KSh.500 to remove it, and a Depo-Provera injection will cost KSh.150. Additionally, post abortion care will be ksh. 3000,” she said 

She observes the dangers of women being unable to access reproductive health services through her advocacy work.

“ It does not discriminate, I have seen both teenagers and married women affected equally because they could not access this service,” she said.

The success of the petition came as a relief to her and the other women who advocated for change.

“ Post- abortion care  was reduced from Ksh3000 to Ksh500 and charges will remain free in level 3 and below hospitals, with subside charges for other services. Most people from marginalised and low income places can now access these services,” she said.

This is not Deborah's first petition in her quest to reform the healthcare system. As a survivor of medical malpractice and negligence, she is also actively promoting an online petition to establish Patient Rights Committees in Kenyan health institutions.