Rising HIV infections among young people a concern - CS Wafula

The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that more effort is needed to tame increasing HIV infections among adolescents and young people.

Health CS Susan Wafula on Monday noted that despite the country making progress and achievements in the war against HIV, the increasing number of new HIV infections among adolescents and young people and mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a worrying trend.

Kenya estimates suggest that youth and young adults contribute up to 40 per cent of all new HIV infections in Kenya.

“Kenya remains committed to ending the AIDS epidemic, especially among children and adolescents, as we have recently committed to the Global Alliance,” the CS said.

She spoke on Monday when she hosted the UNAIDs Executive Director Winnie Byanyima at her Afya House office.

The CS emphasized Kenya's commitment to playing a key role in the global response against HIV/AIDS as the newly elected Vice Chair of the UNAIDs Board and the importance of redoubling her efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Kenya was in December 2022 elected vice chair of the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board, putting it firmly on the decision table of the key global decision making agency.

The election was conducted at the high-level 51st session of the Board’s meeting that concluded in Chiang Mai in Thailand.

Wafula further reiterated the need to ensure financial sustainability amid the dwindling external funding for the HIV response.

“Kenya is exploring solutions such as local manufacturing of essential commodities, UHC and digitalisation of health services as a priority for the government,” she noted.

According to Byanyima, Kenya has made commendable progress in the fight against HIV with data showing a decrease in new infections by 53 per cent since 2010 and a reduction in AIDs related deaths by 60 per cent within the same period.