NSDCC Takes "Ending Triple Threat" Campaign to Kericho

Kericho, Wednesday, May 17, 2023,

KNA by Kibe Mburu/Ezra Kiprotich

The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has underscored the critical role of government multisectoral approach and community-led response to ending the triple threat of new HIV infections, unintended pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescent girls and young women in Kericho County.

Speaking during the sensitization forum that brought together members of the public, the National Government Administration of Officers (NGAOs) among other community gatekeepers, the Kericho County Director of Medical Services Dr. Betty Langat mentioned that HIV prevalence in the County was 2.87 percent with a total of 22, 182 persons living with HIV.

Dr. Langat further revealed that out of the 22,182 HIV-positive cases, 15,240 of them are on treatment urging the rest of the infected persons to avail themselves at the health facilities in order to begin treatment.

“We need each one of us to be able to help us so that we have our patients coming for treatment and in our County, we still have HIV-related deaths yet we have free treatment. We also still have patients who default care and treatment and we need to follow up on them,” stressed Dr. Langat.

According to Dr. Langat, medical statistics indicate a rise in teenage pregnancies in Kericho County in the last five months calling on parents and guardians to closely watch over their teenage girls, especially during school holidays.

“Cases of teenage pregnancies recorded at our health facilities from the month of October last year to February this year is 2,708 however the number could be high since others hide in the villages when they realize they are pregnant.”

“As for Gender-Based-Violence (GBV), in Kericho County, from January to April this year, cases of male abuse reported were 24 and 51 females abused and we are calling on members of the public to report cases of GBV,” added Dr. Langat.

Ms. Carol Kinoti who represented the NSDCC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ruth Laibon, urged the stakeholders present to continue being proactive in ending the Triple Threat in Kenya.

The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) is a State Corporation established under Section 3 of the State Corporations Act, Cap 446, through the National AIDS Control Council Order, 1999 as amended by legal notice number 143 of 2022. The Council is mandated to manage the following syndemic diseases; HIV, sexually transmitted infections, malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis, and lung disease.

Courtesy; K.N.A