Mombasa seeks to reduce HIV prevalence in new county strategic plan
Mombasa County Director of Health Shem Patta (left) and county executive for Health Binti Omar confer during the World Aid Day in December 2015. Mr Patta has said that the Mombasa HIV/Aids 2016-2020 Strategic Plan will act as a planning, fundraising and accountability tool for the county. FILE PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- According to the strategic plan, 6,870 of the people living with HIV are children.
- Of the new infections, 707 occur among injecting drug users, men who have sex with men and female sex workers.
- Joho said there are 1,609 new HIV infections in the county each year making it among the top counties most burdened by the virus.
- County Director of Health Shem Patta said the strategy will act as a planning, fundraising and accountability tool for the county.
People who drop out of HIV medication as well as children and adolescents who do not receive HIV treatment are hampering the fight against HIV/Aids in Mombasa, a report says.
The Mombasa HIV/Aids 2016-2020 Strategic Plan notes that other reasons hindering the war are delayed treatment and [lack of] care for those found with the virus after diagnosis.
The report lists low uptake of HIV testing services among children, adolescents and key populations as well as [lack of] prevention of mother to child transmission as other hindrances to the reduction of new HIV infections in the county.
It states that rampant HIV related stigma and discrimination, high incidences of sexual and gender violence and negative attitude of health providers are preventing efforts to facilitate access to services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations.
According to the strategic plan, 6,870 of the people living with HIV are children.
PREVALENCE RATES
It states that HIV prevalence is higher in Likoni at 9.8 per cent followed by Changamwe at 7.4 per cent, Jomvu at 6.0 per cent, Mvita at 3.0 per cent and least in Kisauni and 2.3 per cent.
Of the new infections, 707 occur among key populations which include the injecting drug users, men who have sex with men and female sex workers.
The report further states that despite gains made in antenatal care and prevention of mother-to-child infections, 171 new-born babies acquire the virus annually.
The new infants’ infection is blamed on home deliveries among mothers with 71 per cent of pregnant women living with the virus delivering at home instead of going to hospital.
“Paediatric antiretroviral therapy in the county remains low at 42 per cent,” the report says.
According to health experts, strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is key to sustained HIV suppression, reduced risk of drug resistance and increased chances of survival for people living with HIV.
APPEAL FOR GOVT SUPPORT
During the launch of the strategic plan on Monday, the National Aids Control Council (NACC) and partners called on the government to fund its implementation.
In his message on the plan, Governor Hassan Joho said the County HIV prevalence currently stands at 7.4 per cent which is higher than the national prevalence of 6 per cent.
He added that there are 1,609 new HIV infections in the County each year making it among the top counties most burdened by the virus.
“This strategic plan underscores the need to address health service delivery amongst the various populations with emphasis on reversing the annual incidence.
“We have a constitutional obligation to ensure that the 54,600 people living with HIV are granted quality care, treatment and support,” he added.
Mombasa County Director of Health Shem Patta said the strategy will act as a planning, fundraising and accountability tool for the county.
