NAIROBI – Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to providing uninterrupted care to individuals living with HIV despite recent challenges stemming from the freeze on foreign aid from the US.
At the ceremony at the Essential Drug and Surprise (MED) mission in Nairobi, CS Balasa flagged substantial commissions for HIV-related medical supplies, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining HIV treatment and preventive services across the country.
Balasa is currently highlighting that the country has adequate stock of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and HIV testing kits, ensuring ongoing treatment for those affected.
She emphasized that certain supplies, including tenophovir/lamivudine/idlutegravir (TLD), pediatric ARV, nevirapine suspensions, and various HIV testing products, are sufficient to last nearly two years.
“Our priority is to ensure that patients receive quality care with appropriate and readily available products,” she said.
The country has over 2 million packs of TLD, the main art regimen that covers approximately 4.7 months of stock.
An additional 4.8 million packs are expected by June 2025, with the stock price being extended to more than 11 months by six months.
Over 326,000 packs of abacavir/lamivudine (120/60mg) dispersed tablets are available for adequate pediatric treatment for 7.4 months.
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Plans are underway to introduce fixed-dose pediatric combinations starting in August, with 18 months of stock already under orders.
To eliminate vertical infections of HIV in infant prevention, 510,000 nevirapine suspensions are currently available, covering 8.4 months of stock.
The country also maintains a robust supply of HIV test kits, including 8.3 million Trins Screen Tests, equivalent to 10 months of inventory, and 1.48 million HIV/syphilis duo tests covering 14.5 months.
To support uninterrupted service delivery, the Ministry of Health is promoting the delivery of over 52,000 early infant diagnosis (EID) tests by April 2025.
Virus load testing remains a priority, with 446,436 tests available, 3.5 months of stock and additional supply expected by April 2025.
From a precautionary perspective, the government has secured over 1.6 million male condoms and has recently achieved a distribution of 9 million health facilities.
To further strengthen its HIV prevention efforts, the ministry has promoted the provision of an additional 28 million condoms, with another 93 million being sourced from the Kenya Medical Supply Bureau (Kemsa).
The country is home to around 1.4 million people along with HIV, and has made great strides to the goal of UNAIDS 95-95-95, achieving 98-98-94, reflecting strong diagnosis, treatment compensation and viral suppression rates.
Acting as a Kemsa agent, Flag Consignment from MEDS aims to ensure that all medical facilities across the country are properly stocked with essential HIV health products.
