Makueni county on track in combating HIV

MAKUENI,

Wednesday, September 6 2023,

KNA by Ronald Rono

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Kenya has lauded the Makueni government for efforts in combating HIV in the county with HIV viral suppression currently at 96 per cent.

CDC Kenya Country Director Dr. Jennifer Galbraith said on Tuesday in Wote, that achievements had been made through the support of the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) to support HIV prevention, care and treatments.

“In Makueni County, the US Government through CDC Kenya invests nearly 1.5 million US dollars that is equivalent to more than Sh200 million annually to support HIV prevention, Care and treatments programs in the county,” said Galbraith. 

 "Because of this support and great work, you are doing, Makueni county is approaching HIV epidemic control. HIV viral suppression is at 96 per cent which has a great potential if maintained to reduce HIV transmission and keep people living with HIV healthy,” she noted.

Galbraith spoke during the launch county’s HIV transition roadmap which is a key pillar in achieving sustainability of HIV programming at the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital.

She was accompanied by Governor Mutula Kilonzo, health officers and partners from CIHEB Kenya and LVCT.

Also, during the event, Galbraith together with Kilonzo presided over the graduation of 40 children who are HIV-free born by HIV positive mothers.

“As a result of prevention of mothers to child transmission of HIV, 2,607 babies were confirmed to be HIV free at 24 months post- delivery between 2017- 2022,” added Galbraith

She further said 21, 672 people living with HIV are on treatment including 18,942 adults, 1,812 young persons and 918 children. She noted that Makueni has done a great job in leading in adoption of innovative strategies and demonstrate the ability to advance sustainable development to promote health sector.

 “Makueni was among the first counties to transition program staff from CDC’s implementing partner to county public service payroll and employing HIV testing counselors, a cadre that is not in the current national scheme of service,” she noted.

Galbraith said from January 2023, CDC is funding the county directly through an ongoing cooperative agreement dubbed “Uzinduzi” which provides HIV service delivery service in Mbooni sub county.

Kilonzo said stopping the transmission of HIV from mother to child is critical adding that no infant or young child should acquire HIV when there are universally accessible medicines to prevent it.

However, he assured that the County will revamp HIV awareness campaigns and challenged men to take a central role in ensuring they get tested.

The Governor praised the mothers for taking their antiretroviral medicine consistently and correctly, hence keeping their infants HIV-free during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding periods.

Courtesy; KNA