The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) hosted the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Health in Machakos County for a critical discussion on “Sustaining the HIV Response Among People Who Use Drugs.  This collaborative meeting emphasised the urgent need for a multi-sectoral approach to address the complex challenges of HIV among this vulnerable population.

NSDCC Board Chair, Mr. Gitu, and Parliamentary Health Committee Chair, Dr. Robert Pukose, highlighted the importance of a whole-government approach to sustain HIV gains. They acknowledged the significant strides made in the HIV response. However, they emphasised the need for continued efforts, especially given the limited resources.

NSDCC CEO Dr. Ruth Laibon-Masha shared statistics, revealing that while Kenya has surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for adult females, there are still an estimated 41,776 people living with HIV who are unaware of their status.  Worryingly, there’s a significant increase in new HIV infections among the 0-4 and 45-49-year-old age groups.

Dr Masha stressed the urgency of addressing the rising cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea.  She also highlighted the concerning fact that 37% of all reported sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases were among adolescents aged 10-17 years, calling for the inclusion of femicide as a critical issue within SGBV interventions.

A key focus of the meeting was the Harm Reduction Program, a critical component of Kenya’s HIV response.  The program, recognised under Legal Notice No. 173 of 2022, has successfully averted at least 46% of HIV infections and 50% of Hepatitis C infections among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID).  Despite this progress, key populations, including PWID, still contribute 14% of all new HIV infections, demanding the need for intensified efforts.

The meeting also discussed the Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) Program, which has seen significant growth, with 9,618 individuals currently enrolled, a dramatic increase from the initial 45 clients in 2014.10 The program has expanded its reach through mobile methadone dispensing, bringing treatment directly to those in need.

A critical takeaway from the meeting is the need for sustained funding and a supportive legal framework to ensure the long-term sustainability of HIV programs. This includes a robust Harm Reduction Bill and the integration of harm reduction services into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.

The NSDCC remains committed to working alongside the Parliament, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to champion effective, sustainable, and equitable HIV interventions for all Kenyans, especially vulnerable populations like people who use drugs.