Kenya’s campaigners sound alarm over declining HIV/Aids funding

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The war against HIV/Aids in Kenya is at stake due to a steep decline in funding from overseas partners, campaigners said on Wednesday HIV
Nelson Otwoma, Executive Director with Network of People Living with HIV/Aids in Kenya (NEPHAK), told journalists in Nairobi that a funding shortfall has disrupted critical services like testing and provision of essential drugs.
“Access to quality and comprehensive HIV/Aids prevention, treatment, care and support services in public health facilities is in jeopardy due to a funding slump,” said Otwoma.
He revealed the scenario has worsened in the last three months as public health centers grapple with a stockout on essential commodities like testing kits, anti-retroviral drugs and nutrition supplements.
Kenya relies heavily on development partners to fund HIV/Aids programs like advocacy, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) as well as provision of drugs.
Campaigners regretted that external funding towards Aids programs cannot be sustained in the wake of global financial crises and shifting donor priorities.
“The government should actualize its commitment to scale up domestic financing for HIV programs. The establishment of a HIV trust fund is long overdue,”Otwoma said.
The 2014 Kenya demographic health survey indicates the country has 1.6 million people living with HIV/Aids. According to the survey, one million Kenyans have already enrolled in a subsidized treatment regime centered on provision of drugs and nutritional supplements.
Otwoma revealed that an infected person spends 128 dollars U.S. dollars annually to obtain anti-retroviral drugs.
“Majority of HIV patients are poor and can only access subsidized treatment support from the state. The national and county governments must prioritize Aids financing,” he said, adding that budget cuts on HIV/Aids programs will affect vulnerable groups like women and children disproportionately.
Maureen Murenga, a grassroot campaigner stressed that political leadership and innovative partnerships were crucial to revitalize the war against Aids.
“Both the national and county leadership has a duty to reverse the decline in HIV/Aids funding. Access to the highest attainable standard of healthcare is enshrined in the constitution,” Murenga said. Enditem

Source: Xinhua

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