WOMAN TO WOMAN: I look forward to a HIV-free generation

Regina Ombam, Deputy Director, HIV Investments at the National Aids Control Council (NACC).

How long have you served at National AIDS Control Council?

Nine years.

Tell us about yourself?

I am a Kenyan born and bred in Nairobi, an economist by profession, a mother and a leader.

What has been your contribution at the council?

I have been the lead person in the country’s increased domestic and sustainable financing for HIV through innovative leverage funding mechanisms based on the establishment of an HIV Fund. The fund will increase resources, access to universal healthcare for those living with HIV, and ultimately subsidise Kenya’s future economic liability for HIV prevention and treatment.

Kenya has the fourth highest number of HIV infections in the world despite the progress. Does this disturb you?

Yes, it does, and in particular the infections among children. I strongly feel that with the science, knowledge and technology we have in this era, no child in Kenya should be born with HIV. I feel for the children and I constantly look forward to an Aids-free generation.

I therefore strongly feel that we cannot end Aids without putting the people living and affected with HIV first. We need a people- centred approach if we really want to change this tide.

You attended the UN High-level Meeting on Aids. What were some of the key outcomes from the meeting and how do they relate to your work in Kenya?

This was one meeting that clearly opened eyes, especially on Sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya in particular. We talked about universal access and how, almost 30 years since the time HIV and AIDS was discovered, countries are still not able to achieve universal access. This meeting helped pull together our minds to look at key obstacles in the areas of prevention and treatment from a leadership point of view, innovation point of view, and from a human rights point of view. This is critical for Kenya because the rate of infections is not declining. Kenya has to think of innovative ways of responding in terms of prevention and treatment.

What does your job entail?

Monitoring and evaluation of the country’s strategic framework by key partners in the national resource, planning and budgeting for HIV interventions in relation to Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support strategies and expenditure tracking.

What is your typical day like?

Extremely packed. Waking up at 4am, prepare family for school and work. Report to office as early as 7.30am. Look at the daily newspaper and respond to e-mails and meetings. Start work at 8am to 5pm. Leave office at 8pm. Have dinner at 9.30pm. Review my school work, retire to bed at 1pm.

What challenges do you encounter at your job place? How do you overcome them?

Given the nature at which the epidemic is evolving each day, hour, second and no cure yet, ‘new’ is the key word. The HIV response is full of new developments. Go to any HIV conference and visit the exhibit hall to get a glimpse of the kind of ‘new’ things that are being introduced.

Kenyans want better outcomes and therefore new developments in the HIV response emerge every now and then. It is therefore important that the thought is put to measure the cost/benefit ratio of the new approaches for a proper scientific and value-based screen.

I am constantly reading, sharing information and understanding the nature of the epidemic, and how best to respond real time.

Where would you love to go for holidays and why?

Spain. It’s a beautiful place with a very rich culture and history, wonderful food and amazing flamenco dance.

Are you married? Do you have children?

I am happily married with seven children (three girls, four boys)

What do you consider the right time to get married?

Mature and ready to take responsibility.

When not at work, what do you love doing?

Watching plays, sports, listening to music, debating and reading. Tries keeping fit (goes to gym twice a week). I am a very good cook, by the way (winks).

What keeps you awake at night?

The fact that we are still losing our children and other Kenyans to HIV/Aids. The day we shall find a vaccine, I will sleep like a baby.

What do you do during your free time?

Give lectures on HIV and Economics and Masters in Health Economics. I am also a Patron of Masita (Siaya) and Alwala (Kisumu) Primary schools in the rural area of the lake region, where I support initiatives related to Early Childhood Development and adequate education infrastructure that makes learning conducive for children in the two schools on voluntary basis.

Who are your mentors?

My late parents. I appreciate their upbringing and the humility that they bestowed in me.

Your aspirations?

Great economist in health and win a Nobel Prize in Economics in the near future.

Assume you retire today, what would you be happy to have accomplished?

For me, the greatest accomplishment is being able to bring up seven healthy children and there is no greater joy in watching and inwardly feeling the way each child relates and bonds with me. This is the greatest joy within me now and forever.