Govt signs Sh1billion grant to fight Aids

Government has signed a Sh1.1 billion to support fight against HIV and Aids.

Grant will complement the contribution made by the Kenyan Government and other bilateral donors on the fight against the disease.

The Kenyan Government has signed a Sh1.1 billion support for the fight against HIV and Aids.

The money will be shared within the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development member countries.

Acting Finance minister John Michuki said the grant will complement the contribution made by the Kenyan Government and other bilateral donors on the fight against the disease.

IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim, noted that IGAD governments would not relent in their efforts to fight the HIV and Aids pandemic, adding that together the pandemic could be tamed.

The programme will be implemented in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya.

“This will in no doubt foster general cooperation in our fight against HIV and Aids in the region. The resources are available in form of a grant and is to be shared amongst the IGAD member states,” said the

At the same time, Mr Michuki has assured the IGAD member countries of Kenya’s National AIDs Control Council’s support in terms of human resource.

“NACC will make available the necessary human resources to implement the regional activities and sub-projects in accordance with stipulated agreement.”

The resources according to Mr Michuki will help in the provision of HIV and Aids prevention, treatment and care as well as support and other mitigation services to internal refugees.

“This is besides assisting in cross border collaboration on the health sector response to HIV and AIDS. The responsibility to coordinate and manage the project will be NACC which is the key institution leading in the fight against the AIDS pandemic in the country,” said Mr Michuki.

The programme, whose implementation spans the next four years, is expected to see infection rates declining.

“It will be keenly monitored to ensure that targeted objectives are achieved,” said Mr Michuki.