On August 17, 2018 CHS joined Kenya’s Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) during the launch of the “2018 HIV Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV in Kenya”. The colourful event held at the People’s Park in Machakos County, brought together national and county government officials, funding and implementing partners and other dignitaries.
“This is yet another milestone for the HIV and AIDS response sector, even as we enter the critical phase towards the attainment of the 90:90:90 treatment global targets. I am glad to be among others who are equally committed to the “End Aids” cause that we all strive to achieve,” said Dr Nduku Kilonzo, the Director of the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) in a speech delivered by the NACC Deputy Director Regina Ombam.
The guidelines will serve as a roadmap towards the expansion of HIV treatment and prevention efforts in order to reduce the number of Kenyans exposed to the risk of contracting the virus as well as increase access to quality care for the people living with HIV. The guidelines will further play a pivotal role in providing direction for health care providers and clients for testing and treatment approaches.
****PRESS RELEASE****
The Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP has launched new guidelines aimed at expanding HIV treatment and prevention efforts so as to reduce new HIV infections, as well as improve the quality of life for persons living with HIV.
“The government of Kenya is committed to working with stakeholders to reach our goal of zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination by 2030. As you know, we are also working tirelessly to ensure access to quality universal health for all by 2022 and HIV prevention and control is squarely in this agenda”, mentioned the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Sicily Kariuki in her speech.
The ‘2018 Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV in Kenya’ recommend implementation of innovative testing approaches and introduce highly effective antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment. These new guidelines include expanding HIV testing through self-testing and assisted partner notification services with the hope of helping more people know their HIV status. More importantly, the new guidelines now recommend use of safer and more effective antiretroviral medicines that will not only help persons living with HIV live better quality lives due to less side effects , but also rapidly helps them suppress the virus.
“We have been careful to take into consideration the needs of various populations, including women, who form majority of those on HIV treatment in developing these guidelines and have engaged a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss existing global and local evidence in developing these guidelines” The director of medical services said in his remarks.
In his remarks, Nelson Otwoma, the director of NEPHAK applauded the government for constantly ensuring that people living with HIV have access to the latest medicines in line with global standards. Otwoma mentioned that now that government has introduced Dolutegravir (DTG) , a new safer and more effective HIV medicine , clinicians have the responsibility to educate patients especially women to make the right choice for their HIV treatment . He also emphasized the need for continued dialogue among all stakeholders.
Alongside the updated 2018 HIV treatment guidelines two other documents were also launched – the ‘Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) Tetanus Toxoid Containing Vaccine (TTCV) Guideline’ and ‘Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) Training Documents’. The VMMC TTCV Guideline seeks to prevent tetanus infections during medical male circumcisions, while the EIMC Training Manual will be useful in equipping health care workers with vital skills needed to carry out circumcision procedures in infants.
The launch of these guideline documents reflects the responsive nature of the Kenyan health system. This will be important in ensuring the effective delivery and support for HIV prevention, care and treatment services in the country. They are also in line with the Ministry of Health’s mission of providing the highest standards of health for all Kenyans and the Government of Kenya’s ‘Big Four’ agenda on universal health coverage (UHC).
These guidelines will improve timely diagnosis, reduce unnecessary HIV-related illness, death, improve quality of life of people living with HIV and contribute to the reduction of new HIV infections.
For more press enquiries please contact:
Violet Otindo
Head of Communication, National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP)
Email: votindo@gmail.com
Telephone: 0722-536997
You can access the new guidelines here: https://www.chskenya.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Kenya-ARV-Guidelines-2018.pdf