Homa Bay county enters partnership to fight triple threat

Zana Africa organization is investing in the health sector in Homa Bay to enhance the fight against the rampant triple threat.

The organization is collaborating with identified community-based organizations (CBOs) in the county to undertake educational programmes to address the vices.

Triple threats include HIV-Aids, Sexual Gender Base Violence (SGBV) and teen pregnancies.

Zana Africa programmes manager Alice Onsarigo said they are investing in menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health to address the issues that promote triple threat.

Homa Bay is among the counties in Kenya with a high rate of HIV infections and teen pregnancies among adolescents and young adults.

Defilement cases which are linked to SGBV are also high in the county.

Onsarigo said they focus on building the future of the current generation.

“The community-based organization officials are engaged in sensitizing and distributing Nia-type sanitary towels to the targeted group. We’re hopeful that such collaboration will enable us to successfully fight the vices,” Onsarigo said.

Speaking to journalists after the conclusion of the second edition of the Homa Bay International Investment Conference, Onsarigo said they have tailored their information for the targeted group to make informed choices on health issues.

The organization has developed a toll-free (hotline) number where trained councillors pick up calls and respond to questions asked by people who seek assistance.

According to Onsarigo, more than 1600 people have been helped since they introduced the toll-free line in Homa Bay.

The 0800721642 is the number at which people seeking such information can get assisted.

Zana came up with the initiatives after they undertook studies on challenges affecting women and girls in Homa Bay.

They conducted a rapid assessment through focus group discussions on knowledge, attitude and perception of the community on school-going children regarding the implementation of a hotline and a WhatsApp chatbot.

Homa Bay health chief officer Kevin Osuri said they are working closely with partners like Zana Africa to ensure questions related to sexual reproductive health, gender issues, menstrual health, teen pregnancies, mental health, drug abuse, and male circumcision among others are answered.

He said referrals are also done to relevant agencies on issues raised.

“The international investment conference enabled the Homa Bay government to engage people and get more partnerships that will enhance the fight against the triple threat. The modalities we’re putting in place will enable us to safely protect the future generation,” Osuri said.

Through such partnerships, health stakeholders are developing content that they will use for responding to questions on issues that affect young adults and adolescents.

“We want holistic content that covers all the topics about the challenges faced by the targeted groups. Knowledge is power that will help them make informed decisions,” he added.