Kenya Insights

Tag: HIV and AIDS

  • Kenya Has Sufficient ARVs For HIV Patients, Govt Assures Amid Aid Freeze

    Kenya Has Sufficient ARVs For HIV Patients, Govt Assures Amid Aid Freeze

    Health Director General at the Ministry of Health Patrick Amoth has assured that Kenya is well-prepared to address any occurrences arising from events beyond control, such as the recent freeze on US-funded HIV medications.

    Addressing the media on Wednesday, Amoth acknowledged the numerous executive orders issued by US President Donald Trump, particularly those related to health, and their impact on Kenya’s healthcare programs

    “We are cognizant of the information coming from the US government, but I want to assure Kenyans that we have sufficient stocks of HIV commodities,” he said.

    “We have strengthened our supply chain in the last two years to ensure at any given time we have more than six months of stocks.”

    Amoth noted that the country has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, largely supported by global initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

    He stated that out of the estimated 1,377,784 people living with HIV, 1,352,657 (98 per cent) know their status, have been diagnosed, and are accessing treatment.

    Additionally, 1,299,330 (94 per cent) of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, highlighting the success of effective collaboration where Kenya is achieving the 95:95:95 targets.

    He warned of potential disruptions, including interruptions in HIV treatment for thousands, increased risks of drug resistance and a possible rise in mother-to-child transmission.

    The Ministry of Health has managed to reduce mother-to-child transmission from as high as 15 per cent ten years ago to the current 7.1 per cent, just shy of the elimination target of five per cent.

    Amoth acknowledged that the freeze on US-funded HIV medications and the cessation of technical assistance threaten to disrupt years of progress made in controlling the HIV epidemic.

    “This poses a risk to the continued treatment of thousands of Kenyans, potentially leading to drug resistance and an increase in mother-to-child transmission,” he said.

    In response to these challenges, Kenya is taking proactive measures to mitigate the negative effects and ensure the continuity of healthcare services.

    “The Ministry of Health is actively engaging with other development partners, international agencies, and private sector stakeholders to secure alternative resources and fill gaps in the supply of essential medicines,” Amoth said.

    He also stressed the importance of regional and global solidarity to support health financing, ensuring that critical healthcare services continue to reach those in need.

    Trump’s announcement of the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the freezing of foreign aid, including support for critical programs like PEPFAR, marks a pivotal moment with far-reaching consequences for countries around the world, including Kenya.

  • HIV Activist Asunta Wagura Gives Birth To Twins At 60

    HIV Activist Asunta Wagura Gives Birth To Twins At 60

    In what she describes as double blessings, renowned  HIV activist Asunta Wagura, 60, has given birth to twin girls.

    Making the announcement, delighted Ms. Asunta gave a compelling tale of how her life has taken unusual turn at an advanced age.

    “This year, my life’s narrative took a comedic turn worthy of an Oscar—yes, at the sprightly young age of nearly 60, I’ve become a mother to twin girls! It’s a plot twist I never saw coming, and one I can hardly believe myself!” She wrote.

    “Some have been guessing, others doubting, but now it’s clear: miracles don’t always knock; sometimes, they burst through the door with a glorious, uproarious entrance,” I declare with a heart so full it could light up the night sky. To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement; I’m out of the solar system!” She said.

    The activist talks about how this has changed her perspectives on life, “The birth of my twin girls has not only doubled my joy but has also led me into profound pondering about life’s infinite possibilities. “Just when I thought my script was set, life handed me a re-write filled with laughter, diapers, and two beautiful princesses,” I reflect joyously.”

    To satisfy the curiosity of meny as to how it is possible to have twins at her age, she gives a long look, “I know what some of you might be thinking: “Twins? At your age?” Indeed, as I approach the grand age of 60, many might say this stage of life is better suited for quiet weekends and early bird specials, not midnight feedings and lullabies. But oh, how delightfully wrong they are!”

    “I never knew exactly what I was looking for until it arrived, swaddled in pink and crying out with vigorous, life-affirming wails. It has been a fulfillment, a revelation, a revolution of the soul! And in those quiet moments, cradling my daughters, I wonder at the majesty of life and the boundless capabilities of the Divine. “Who says you can’t set sail on new adventures just as you’re nearing that ‘sixth floor’ of life?” I chuckle, rocking my girls to sleep.” She added.

    She used her blessing to encourage others who’re looking to having kids even past the transcribed age of menopause to hold on. “To everyone out there holding onto a dream, feeling it might be too late or too impossible, remember my tale. The God of Asunta, in His wisdom and mirth, does not abide by our earthly textbooks. May He meet you too at the point of your need, and may your dreams find their joyous twilight!”

    Asunta journey with HIV

    Asunta has lived positively with HIV for over 34 years and with the new twins, now has seven HIV-negative children.

    Asunta’s journey as an HIV activist began in 1988 when she received her diagnosis, a time when such news was accompanied by stigma and despair. Despite facing rejection and adversity, Asunta persevered and co-founded KENWA (the Kenyan Network of Women with AIDS) to support fellow HIV patients.

  • Scientist Discover A New HIV-1 Group M Virus Subtype

    Scientist Discover A New HIV-1 Group M Virus Subtype

    Abbott Laboratories, an American medical Devices and Health Care Company with headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois, United States’s team of scientists and researchers have identified a new subtype of HIV, dubbed HIV-1 Group M, subtype L.

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    In a publication by the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS), the findings show the role next-generation genome sequencing is playing in helping researchers stay one step ahead of mutating viruses and averting new pandemics.

    Since the beginning of the global AIDS pandemic, 75 million people have been infected, despite formidable challenges, the global health community has been tirelessly working on the goal to end HIV pandemic over the past few decades. Their efforts are becoming feasible as the records indicate that 37.9 million people today are currently living with the lethal virus.

    “In an increasingly connected world, we can no longer think of viruses being contained in one location. This discovery reminds us that to end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to outthink this continuously changing virus and use the latest advancements in technology and resources to monitor its evolution,” said Carole McArthur, Ph.D., M.D., a professor in the departments of oral and craniofacial sciences, University of Missouri — Kansas City, and one of the study authors.

    This research marks the first time a new subtype of “Group M” HIV virus has been identified since guidelines for classifying new strains of HIV were established in the year 2000.

    Group M viruses, which are traced back to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Sub-Saharan Africa, are responsible for the global HIV pandemic.

    To determine whether an unusual virus is, in fact, a new HIV subtype, three cases must be discovered independently.

    The first two samples of this subtype were discovered in DRC in the 1980s and the 1990s. The third, collected in 2001, was difficult to sequence at that time because of the amount of virus in the sample and the existing technology.

    Today, next-generation sequencing technology allows researchers to build an entire genome at higher speeds and lower costs. In order to utilize this technology, Abbott scientists developed and applied new techniques to help narrow in on the virus portion of the sample to fully sequence and complete the genome.

    “Identifying new viruses such as this one is like searching for a needle in a haystack. By advancing our techniques and using next-generation sequencing technology, we are pulling the needle out with a magnet. This scientific discovery can help us ensure we are stopping new pandemics in their tracks,” said Mary Rodgers, Ph.D., a principal scientist and head of the Global Viral Surveillance Program, Diagnostics, Abbott, and one of the study authors.

    Abbott, the leader in blood screening and infectious disease testing created its Global Viral Surveillance Program 25 years ago to monitor HIV and hepatitis viruses and identify mutations to ensure the company’s diagnostic tests remain up to date.

    The US-based Abbott in partnership with global blood centers, hospitals, and Academic Institutions has collected over 78,000 samples of HIV+ and Hepatitis Viruses from 45 countries.

    Abbott has also identified and characterized more than 5,000 strains and published 125 research papers, all that has been tapped to be useful in helping the scientific community learn more about these pernicious viruses.

  • How I Infected Nairobi OCS With HIV

    How I Infected Nairobi OCS With HIV

    I will not reveal the personal details of those involved in this story because it’s illegal to publicly disclose one’s health conditions.

     

    Hi Edward,

    I’ve been seing your articles on a Facebook group we happen to be in together and one of it that was talking about that Mathare kid with HIV and Aids touched me. I’ll like to tell you about my personal story too. Make sure you don’t mention my name because this can get me killed. Si wewe unajua tu hii Kenya yetu.

    Am called *name withheld* from Kapenguria but currently working in Mombasa. After college, life was so difficult for me and i found myself in a very terrible situation. Lemme narrate the story in briefs.

    I have a BTM degree from Moi University and never ever seen a payslip from that useless paper. I tried hustling with it but that’s a story for another day.

    I went to Mombasa with a friend of mine who later impregnated me and varnished after i delivered a baby boy. Lucky for me he had paid the house for a whole year and a half and he also left me with furnitures. Hii pia ni story ingine mrefu.

    To cut the long story short, i used the house i was left in as a lodging for me and my lady friends that were also doing commercial sex. I had to get cash to survive and feed my child.

    I spent the whole year saving few moneies I stole from drunk men who used to come and relieve their stress on me and those who puked in the house. After a year and a half, i relocated to Nairobi and when i wanted to join a certain NGO, my HIV test results came positive. I was ready for such, though. Si ni life.

    I come to Nairobi in April this year. I was staying at *area withheld* and was still in the mood of the Mombasa business. So, one day i was arrested by Kenya police at night after being dropped near where i used to stay.

    I begged Police to release me but one of them was also my customer who we happened to have forced to pay extra and took his phone. So the cop said mimi ni mwizi and this was my day.

    I was taken to *#$%$ Police station. Was held overnight then the OCS supervised early mornings head count. I pleaded with him and he called me outside and i told him to do anything he wants but don’t take me to court. He asked me to accompany him to a nearby lodge. I was escorted by a junior officer.

    I found him in the room ready for sex and i told him to use the condom because i don’t want to get pregnant. He denied and told me to wash my self and get ready for him and stop wasting time. I told him i won’t do it until i see a condom. He told me, nitafanya hii kitu na nikurudishe cell. I don’t want to go back to cell again. So i gave him what he wanted and he left me there after he was done.

    We had a very long sex since he took viagra tabs. I didn’t enjoy because he was old-school but that wasn’t even my worry. I wanted to go home and i had to do what i had.

    This was in March this year. He called me last month and threatened to track me. He told me nilimpea virusi na sikumwambia. I told him to use the rubber and he wanted meat so i had to give him everything i had in my blood. Hadi kaswende.

    Right now i don’t use any SIM cards registered with my ID or bank accounts. I moved back to Mombasa and currently running my kasalon and also grocery store. Most women sleep with Police bosses to be freed just like men must pay for their freedom. This is my story and  everyone should be careful out here.

     

     

     

  • New Study Shows High HIV Prevalence Rates In Nyanza Are Exaggerated For Funding

    New Study Shows High HIV Prevalence Rates In Nyanza Are Exaggerated For Funding

    The widely reported HIV prevalence rates in the Nyanza region have been overstated, according to new data presented at an international conference in the United States.

    Findings from a study conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya (CDC-Kenya) indicate that HIV prevalence in Nyanza is significantly lower than previous national estimates.

    While national figures have long placed Nyanza’s HIV prevalence at 16.1%—the highest in Kenya—new research puts the figure at 12.6%. Similarly, Homa Bay County, previously reported as having a prevalence rate of 26.6%, is now estimated at 19.9%.

    The study, which began in 2011, was carried out by a team of researchers from Kemri, CDC-Kenya, the National Aids Control Council, the National Aids & STI Control Programme, and the University of Amsterdam. It was presented by CDC-Kenya Director Kevin de Cock at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston.

    Led by Peter W. Young of CDC-Kenya, the study compared national estimates with data collected directly from the field.

    The findings suggest that past national estimates may have overstated the region’s HIV burden, potentially influencing policy and funding decisions.

    These revised figures could lead to adjustments in Kenya’s HIV/AIDS intervention strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated more accurately to affected populations. The conference, which has brought together global experts on HIV/AIDS, concludes today.