Joy ShikwatiMaintaining Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS: Kenya Assures Drug Availability Amid Funding Concerns
HIV/AIDS remains a critical public health challenge, impacting millions. In response to anxieties stemming from a potential USAID funding freeze, the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council has reassured Kenyans that the nation possesses an ample supply of anti-retroviral and Tuberculosis drugs.Addressing the Funding Gap in HIV/AIDS Programs
The concern arose following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a funding freeze, which threatened to cut over Sh25 billion annually from Kenya’s health sector, significantly affecting programs aimed at combating HIV/AIDS. This potential loss would have had repercussions for more than 41,500 healthcare workers. However, Dr. Laibon Masha, CEO of the council, has provided assurances that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as drug supplies remain sufficient.
Dr. Masha emphasized the government’s commitment to bridging the funding gap for the more than 1.3 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS. He confirmed that essential medications would continue to be distributed to local health facilities and clinics.
During a discussion with county executive members for health in Naivasha, Dr. Masha stressed the importance of localized strategies to ensure that vital services in the fight against HIV/AIDS remain uninterrupted. He urged counties to develop supportive interventions and measures to address the funding shortfall, including the support of over 11,000 frontline health workers at the county level.
The Call for Continued Support in the Fight Against HIV
Dr. Masha also appealed to the US government to reinstate funding, highlighting the crucial role it plays in the collaborative effort to combat HIV/AIDS and TB. “The Kenyan government must seize this imminent US funding freeze to reorganize its operations and budget and plug in Sh25 billion funding gap moving forward,” Masha stated.
Currently, Kenya has made significant strides in managing the epidemic. 98 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS are aware of their status and are receiving treatment, while 94 percent have achieved viral suppression. This progress underscores the effectiveness of ongoing programs and the importance of continued support to maintain these gains. It is vital that funding challenges do not derail the hard earned progress that has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The National Syndetic Diseases Control Council has assured Kenyans that the country has enough anti-retroviral and Tuberculosis drugs amid fears over USAID funding freeze.
The announcement comes amid fears among the users of the critical medicines whose supplies have been funded by the US government since the year 2003 at the height of HIV/AIDs pandemic.
The freeze, announced by President Donald Trump, would see Kenya lose more than Sh25 billion yearly towards the health sector-driven programmes affecting more than 41,500 healthcare workers. However, the council CEO Dr Laibon Masha said there is no cause for alarm since there are enough supplies of the medicines.
Masha said the government would address the funding gap for the more than 1.3 million people living with HIV/AIDs. The drugs would be supplied to local health facilities and clinics.
Speaking during an engagement with county executive members for health in Naivasha, he called for localised interventions to ensure all critical services in the fight against HIV/AIDs are not affected.
The CEO tasked the counties to formulate supporting interventions and measures to address the funding deficit, including that of more than 11,000 frontline health workers affected at the county levels.
He also called on the US to reinstate funding to help win the fight against HIV/AIDs and TB.
“The Kenyan government must seize this imminent US funding freeze to reorganize its operations and budget and plug in Sh25 billion funding gap moving forward,” Masha added.
Currently, 98 per cent of people living with HIV/ AIDs are aware of their statuses and are on treatment, while 94 per cent have achieved viral suppression.
