The Social Health Authority (SHA) has rolled out a new program to tackle teenage pregnancy, a challenge Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described as one of Kenya’s most pressing public health issues.

In his statement shared by the Health Cabinet Secretary on his official X account on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Duale said the initiative is designed to provide adolescent mothers and their newborns with direct access to healthcare support. “Recognising teenage pregnancy as a critical public health challenge in Kenya, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has introduced targeted interventions specifically designed for adolescent mothers and their newborns,” he stated

The move marks a shift toward inclusive and technology-driven healthcare delivery, ensuring that vulnerable teenage mothers do not fall through the cracks of the country’s health system.

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According to Duale, SHA is using technology and grassroots networks to bridge the gap between young mothers and health facilities.

“Through the use of digital health platforms and the support of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), SHA facilitates the real-time registration of these vulnerable groups to ensure equitable access to subsidised maternal and child healthcare services,” he said.

The programme aims to make it easier for young mothers, many of whom face stigma, financial strain, and limited access to health information, to receive maternal care without barriers. The system links them directly to nearby health facilities and tracks the services they receive, ensuring follow-ups and continuity of care.

Duale celebrated the early success of the initiative, saying it has already made a tangible impact across the country. “Since the inception of the programme, over 22,000 teenage mothers across the country have accessed free maternal services, a major milestone in promoting health equity and protecting young mothers,” he stated.

The announcement comes as teenage pregnancy continues to affect thousands of girls every year, often cutting short their education and exposing them to health risks. SHA’s intervention, driven by technology and supported by local health promoters, represents a major step toward addressing the long-term effects of early motherhood and ensuring that every young mother receives the care she needs.

The programme’s success could set a new standard for how Kenya tackles social and health inequalities through digital inclusion and targeted community-based support.