On December 1, 2018 CHS joined the world in commemorating World AIDS Day. The day was commemorated in different counties across the country under the Kenyan theme: Know your HIV Status: Mwanaume Jipime Jijue aimed at raising awareness on the importance of knowing ones HIV status as well increasing targeted effort towards reaching out to men to challenge them to improve their health-seeking behaviours.
Speaking during the county commemorations in Siaya county the CHS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Paul Wekesa urged the attendees to get tested and encouraged those living with HIV to adhere to their medication. He further gave a highlight of the interventions that CHS has put in place targetting men. “In line with this year’s theme, CHS has come up with innovative approaches to reach out to men and increase the numbers of those identified and put on treatment. These include: putting up HIV testing booths, offering assisted Partner Notification Services (PNS), having flexi clinics for men which involves ensuring that men have access to medical services after hours among others,” he said.
With the generous support from United States President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEFPAR) through the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CHS supported commemorations across eight (8) counties (Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Murang’a, Siaya, Makueni, Kitui and Machakos) In close collaboration with the respective county governments CHS is working to deliver quality HIV prevention, care and treatment services through the NAISHI, TEGEMEZA PLUS and SHINDA, projects.
Working in partnership with the County Departments of Health in these counties, CHS focuses on the implementation of high quality HIV prevention, care and treatment services through support for care and treatment of HIV, TB/ HIV services, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), HIV Testing and Counselling Services (HTS), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Laboratory and Pharmacy across all CHS supported facilities in Central, Western and Eastern Kenya.
CHS support in marking this year’s World AIDS Day included production of information, educational and communication (IEC) materials such as banners, t-shirts and printed HIV and TB literature, offering HIV Testing and Counselling Services, Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC) services as well as logistical support during the activities.