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Kenya seeks urgent HIV donor funds amid US uncertainty

Kenya is looking for new donors to support its HIV program after the US government temporarily paused funding and distribution of the HIV drugs it provides.

Kenya’s HIV program is facing a significant challenge as the U.S. government has temporarily paused funding and the distribution of HIV drugs previously supplied under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

This pause has raised concerns about the continuity of treatment for the approximately 1.4 million Kenyans living with HIV.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health has responded by seeking new donors to support the country’s HIV response. This includes engaging with other development partners, international agencies, and the private sector to secure alternative resources.

The aim is to mitigate the potential negative impacts such as treatment interruptions, increased drug resistance, and a rise in mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which had been successfully reduced to 7.1% from a higher rate a decade ago.

The funding from PEPFAR, which amounted to Sh43 billion last year, has been crucial, covering a significant portion of the HIV budget in Kenya, particularly for antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and related supplies.

Hiv State Seeking Donors

The pause in funding has sparked international concern, with organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS highlighting the dire implications for those dependent on this treatment.

In response to this crisis, there has been a call for Kenya to not only seek new donors but also to develop sustainability plans to reduce dependency on foreign aid for its HIV/AIDS programs.

This includes increasing domestic funding and exploring local manufacturing of essential medicines to ensure long-term health security and treatment continuity.

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