Suba North MP, Millie Odhiambo, is advocating for the passage of two Bills related to reproductive health, drawing from her own experiences. She is championing the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill 2022 and the Family Reproductive Health Care Bill 2022, both of which aim to address various aspects of reproductive health.
The Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill 2022, currently in the process of a Second Reading in Parliament, focuses on issues related to infertility. It defines clinical infertility as a situation where a couple is unable to conceive after a year of frequent unprotected sex. The bill addresses assisted medical reproduction techniques, such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF), to help couples achieve pregnancy. It stipulates that a person qualifies for assisted reproductive technology when certified by a medical doctor, but the procedure must be for human procreation only.
Millie Odhiambo’s personal experience, including her struggles with heavy menstrual periods and fibroids, inspired her advocacy for these bills. She emphasizes the need for women to have access to preconception information to make informed choices about reproductive health.
However, the bills also face challenges related to legal definitions, such as when conception occurs in assisted reproduction, and the status of unused embryos. They also address issues like surrogacy, gamete donation, and multiple pregnancies.
The Family Reproductive Health Care Bill 2022, on the other hand, addresses access to reproductive education, family planning, safe motherhood, fatherhood, and reproductive healthcare for men. Millie Odhiambo emphasizes that discussions about reproduction should focus on addressing health issues affecting both men and women and reducing unsafe abortions, rather than solely on abortion.
These bills aim to provide comprehensive legal frameworks for various aspects of reproductive health and technology, reflecting the evolving landscape of reproductive healthcare in Kenya. Previous attempts to pass similar bills have not been successful, but Millie Odhiambo remains committed to their advancement.”