Kenya Launches Ambitious Plan to End AIDS in Children by 2027

Homabay, KENYA -8 September 2023 -  The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula has officially launched the Kenya Plan to End AIDS in Children by 2027. 

 

Acknowledging the importance of global partnerships, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund, as well as collaborative efforts, Kenya has seen significant progress in the past decade, with a 57% reduction in new HIV infections and a 68% decrease in AIDS-related deaths. 

 

 However, despite these achievements, during the launch in Homabay county, CS noted that the challenge of high Mother-To-Child Transmission rates at 8.6% remains. While treatment coverage for children living with HIV stands at 85%, only about 74% of them achieve viral suppression. 

 

This performance gap underscores the need for urgent action, she noted.

In a notable commitment, CS expressed her enthusiasm for launching the Plan to End AIDS in Children and commended Homabay County, led by Hon. Gladys Wanga, for their support in hosting this vital national dialogue.

 

 Furthermore, during her recent visit to Tanzania, Nakhumicha pledged on behalf of the Kenyan government to address the gaps hindering progress in ending pediatric AIDS. 

 

Over the next three years, Kenya, as a member of the Alliance, will implement a comprehensive 4-point action plan embedded in the Kenya Plan to End AIDS in children. This plan aims to eliminate AIDS in children by 2027, including ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis.