0
0
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), in collaboration with the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), has rolled out a 72-hour Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) to distribute 6,516,000 condoms to health facilities across the country.
This initiative is a critical step in ensuring a continuous supply of condoms, a key tool in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In a joint statement, KEMSA CEO Dr. Andrew Mulwa, NASCOP Head Dr. Rose Wafula, and Dr. Waqo Erjesa emphasized the importance of maintaining an uninterrupted supply of HIV commodities, which includes not only antiretroviral (ARV) drugs but also prevention tools such as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and condoms.
Currently, more than 1.3 million people in Kenya are on ARV treatment, and the consistent availability of these essential commodities is crucial for maintaining viral suppression and preventing new infections. The initiative underscores the importance of a collaborative approach between KEMSA and NASCOP, which has been instrumental in advancing Kenya’s efforts in HIV management.
The initiative follows recent reports from the Ministry of Health highlighting significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya. AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 68% from 58,446 in 2013 to 18,473 in 2022, and new HIV infections have dropped from 101,448 to 22,154 over the same period.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, during a recent steering committee meeting, stressed the need for a robust HIV Sustainability Operational Plan to sustain these achievements and continue progress towards ending the epidemic by 2030.
