THE war against HIV/Aids is far from over. This is according to Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi, who is calling on Kenyans to remain vigilant and curb further spread of the disease.
While efforts have been made by the government to reduce the prevalent rates from 14.6 per cent to 6.3, Murugi says more concerted efforts are necessary to reach levels that have been attained by other states. "We are concerned that efforts to obtain a cure both in Kenya and around the world have not yet borne fruits, although we appreciate the availability of life prolonging drugs currently in use," Murugi said.
She was speaking in Nairobi while opening a two-day conference by the International Aids Society, which has brought together stakeholders from across the world.
The International multi-stakeholders Consultation on National Aids programme will seek to enhance anti-Aids campaigns. It is estimated that 1.5 million Kenyans are living with the HIV virus with 100,000 adults and 20,000 babies joining the growing statistics every year.
The scale-up of HIV treatment, prevention and care has been unprecedented in the last decade. This has adversely affected the number of patients who have access to anti retro-viral treatment.
Murugi regretted the devastating effects of HIV/Aids, which she said have affected all sectors of the society, thereby limiting the achievements of the overall development goals. "HIV/Aids has been noted as a major contributor to a country's overall economic security and stability," she said and warned that Kenya risked failure to achieve 2030 goals if the problem is not addressed.
However, she reiterated government's commitment to find lasting solutions to the epidemic to ensure that there are zero new infection rates, as well as an end to Aids-related deaths and discrimination.
Murugi praised the voluntary male circumcision programme which was rolled out recently, especially in Nyanza. She attributed the reduction rate of infections by 64 per cent to the programme. "The acceleration of elimination of mother to child transmission programmes has resulted in considerable reduction in the number of infants born with the virus," Murugi said.
She further lauded the increased availability of generic drugs , which she said have helped lower the treatment cost through various innovative approaches for commodity procurement in Kenya.
Despite significant progress in accessing ARVs, HIV prevention and care, the rates of people becoming newly infected are still higher than those under medication, with only 47 per cent of those eligible for treatment accessing it.
Murugi regretted the increased number of older people, especially grandmothers, being overburdened with providing care to two million orphans and vulnerable children, mostly from HIV/Aids complications.
She challenged Kenyans to get tested and know their statuses, saying that only a paltry four out of the 40 million Kenyans have taken the initiative to access Voluntary Counseling and Testing centres.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201204210037.html
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