Government Assures Strong Commitment to HIV Response

The government has reassured people living with HIV that its commitment to HIV response remains strong despite the prevailing foreign aid freeze by the US government.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo affirmed that the country has sufficient stock of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and HIV testing kits, to ensure uninterrupted treatment and care.Speaking when she flagged off a consignment of HIV-related medical supplies, Mulongo noted that there are enough supplies, specifically of TLD, pediatric ARVs, Nevirapine suspension, and various HIV testing commodities, which can last for close to two years.

"Our priority is, and always will be, to ensure that patients receive quality care, with adequate and readily available commodities," she said.
CS Barasa added that the supply chain supporting People Living with HIV  is efficiently being coordinated by KEMSA, MEDS, MOH, and county governments. She further stated that they are ensuring there is a consistent availability of Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load testing reagents. She also highlighted that there is the availability of 2,026,555 packs of TLD, the main ART regimen used by over 92 per cent of patients, translating to 4.7 months of stock.According to Mulongo, additional packs of over 4.8 million are expected by June 2025, increasing central-level stocks to more than 11 months by midyear.
The supply of Nevirapine suspension, used for infant prophylaxis as part of eliminating vertical transmission of HIV, remains stable, with the CS disclosing that 510,000 bottles are currently available, covering 8.4 months of stock.In addition to ARVs, Mulongo said the country has sufficient HIV testing kits, including 8.3 million Trinscreen tests, translating to 10 months of stock, and 1.48 million HIV/Syphilis duo tests, covering 14.5 months.Regarding male condoms, the CS said this has also been secured, with over 1.6 million pieces in stock and a recent distribution of 9 million pieces to health facilities.
The flagging off of the consignment from MEDS, operating as an agent of KEMSA, will ensure that all health facilities in the country are adequately stocked with key HIV health products, she said.Present during the event were Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Mutho and top officials from KEMSA, including CEO Waqo Dulacha.