In a major stride toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Kenyan government has unveiled a new health card initiative targeting adolescent mothers a move designed to eliminate barriers that have long denied them access to vital medical services.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the programme on Saturday, noting that the cards will provide young mothers with uninterrupted access to antenatal and postnatal care, immunization, family planning, and psychosocial support.

“These girls often face stigma and are sidelined by the system,” said Duale.

“This initiative is about ensuring they are not left behind that they are supported holistically from pregnancy through recovery.”

The intervention builds on existing programmes such as Linda Jamii but goes a step further by intentionally integrating teen mothers into the formal health infrastructure.

“This is no longer a reactive approach,” Duale emphasised. “We are moving toward an inclusive health model that embraces even the most vulnerable.”

Teen pregnancies remain a pressing challenge in Kenya.

The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) revealed that one in six girls aged 15 to 19 is either pregnant or has already given birth.

The problem is especially pronounced in counties like Narok, Tana River, and Homa Bay, where rates surpass the national average.

Teen mothers often suffer harsh social and economic fallout dropping out of school, facing community stigma, and missing out on healthcare due to discrimination or financial hardship.

A 2023 report by the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) underscored the link between adolescent pregnancy, school dropouts, and poverty.

Duale said the new health cards aim to break that cycle.

“By bringing these girls into the healthcare system formally, we’re tackling not just maternal health risks, but also broader social issues like interrupted education and generational poverty,” he said.

The rollout aligns with the country’s broader efforts to implement UHC through the newly established Social Health Authority.

It also supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

Beyond medical services, the card will also provide access to mental health support and counselling key to helping young mothers rebuild self-esteem and return to school or pursue vocational training.

To ensure the programme reaches those most in need, the Ministry of Health is working closely with county governments and community health promoters to register beneficiaries and follow up on their care.

“This card is more than just a health tool,” Duale concluded. “It’s a symbol of commitment that no Kenyan, no matter their age or situation, should be left behind.”

The initiative is expected to transform the lives of thousands of teenage mothers, offering not just care but a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and opportunity.