• The rate of mother-to-child transmission has dropped, from 12.4% in 2018 to 5.8% in 2024.
•According to Waiguru, direct funding has also created chances to strengthen HIV program coordination and management at the local level.
Image: FILE
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has said the county is making quick progress toward ending new HIV infections.
Waiguru said the county received recognition for providing consistent, high-quality HIV/Aids management services, which is noteworthy given that the nation is shifting to a direct funding paradigm for HIV programs.
She said the county has been carrying out a comprehensive HIV/Aids strategy designed to improve treatment and reduce prevalence rates by preventing new infections and mother-to-child transmission.
Waiguru pointed out that while new infections have reduced from 779 to 117 over the last three years, the county's prevalence rate has decreased from 3.8 per cent in 2018 to the current 2.4 per cent.
The rate of mother-to-child transmission has dropped, from 12.4 per cent in 2018 to 5.8 per cent in 2024. Governor Waiguru predicted a less than 1 per cent prevalence rate shortly and the eventual eradication of the pandemic in the county, expressing hope for the attainment of improved outcomes.
During the recent HIV Service Delivery Integration Summit held in Mombasa, the National AIDS and STI Control Programme and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention praised Kirinyaga county for being one of the devolved units that have successfully implemented government-to-government (G2G) HIV/AIDS management collaboration.
Waiguru said county governments may oversee the technical, administrative, and financial frameworks for HIV programs and maintain high-quality HIV services by implementing G2G HIV/Aids programming.
Instead of funding outside implementing partners to carry out the programs, counties will receive direct financing for HIV/AIDS management from donors under the new G2G funding model.
"We appreciate the government-to-government funding for this program in Kirinyaga County since it has enabled us to realize significant outcomes from the interventions we have been implementing. This model has filled many gaps that existed when donors used external implementing partners,” said the governor.
According to Waiguru, direct funding has also created chances to strengthen HIV program coordination and management at the local level.
She stated that the county government has also created capacity within its healthcare system to provide quality HIV/Aids services.
According to health executive George Karoki, the county has made significant progress in HIV/Aids management, including testing, prevention, and treatment, thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and other implementing partners.
He emphasized the value of the government-to-government finance mechanism in building local capabilities.
"A lot of capacity building has been done. We have trained our healthcare workers to manage, plan, and implement issues related to HIV prevention. They can now own that activity and manage it as a community," he stated.
He cited the incorporation of HIV services into routine service delivery as a notable advancement, particularly in outpatient and laboratory settings.
Kirinyaga county has implemented the Wezesha Afia project, which manages government-to-government finance and ensures a smooth transition from donor-funded to county-funded HIV/Aids.
Mary Wawira, a mentor mother at Kangu Health Centre, underlined the program's importance in assisting pregnant women. She advises those who test positive on how to prevent the virus from infecting their pregnant offspring and how to care for them after birth.
"I have been a mentor mother for about four years. My duties entail educating and advising expectant mothers to get tested as a couple, as well as providing guidance and counselling for those who may turn out HIV positive,” she said.