Kenya’s HIV cases hike by 7.3% as the world commemorates world AIDS days.
Reports by the health department indicate that Kenya’s HIV cases hike by 7.3%. This comes after 34,540 new infections were discovered.
Atleast 17,961 adolescents and young adults aged 15-29 tested positive for HIV in 2021, with reports indicating that they are the most exposed group.
The same last year, Nairobi County topped with 3,828 infections then Kisumu at 3,118 infections , Homa Bay at 2,696 and Siaya county at 2,180.
Amidst the rising HIV cases, the HIV donor funding declined to Ksh.7.3 billion by 2018, also in 2019, US-funded PEPFAR withdrew, citing that countries should support their own health initiatives.
In Fiscal year 2022/2023, Kenya’ yearly funding gap for essential HIV essentials stands at Ksh.100,454,190.
Bungoma county AIDs and STI coordinator stated,”Saa hii tunakuwa na targeted testing kwa sababu ya uhaba…kwa sababu mahali imefika saa hii wafadhili wamefika wanatuambia tufanye mikakati yetu wenyewe, wanasema sasa tukuwe independent.”
“Labda unaweza pata mama ambaye ako na HIV na saa zile saa inafika hauna vifaa na labda inabidi utafute ata kama karatasi ama sugar bag uweze kumsaidia…sasa sisi tuko katika hatari wakati tunazalisha wamama ambao wako na HIV,” a midwife commented.
According to the done analysis, the common way of transmission is sexual contact. Although, hospitals have reported shortage of condoms, Kenyans are advised to have healthy sexual relations.
Pregnant mothers are also advised to go for regular check ups and testing, to avoid Mother to child transmission ( MTCT).
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