In 2023, more than 4,000 babies in Kenya were born with HIV, despite the availability of free medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Two out of every ten of these children are not receiving life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, highlighting the persistent challenges in the fight against pediatric HIV.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is collaborating with Kenya’s Ministry of Health to address these challenges and work toward ending pediatric AIDS. The foundation focuses on four key priorities: scaling up HIV prevention services, expanding innovative testing to identify children living with HIV early, using community-based interventions to provide care near homes, and integrating more health services into HIV care.
In Kenya, approximately 75,000 children aged 0–14 are living with HIV, with over 4,000 new infections reported in 2023. Key barriers to eliminating pediatric HIV include late or no antenatal care for HIV-positive mothers, lack of access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and insufficient early testing for infants exposed to HIV. Inadequate diagnostic tools and follow-up systems prevent many children from being diagnosed and initiated on treatment.
Homa Bay County, with over 10,000 HIV-positive children, represents a significant challenge in the fight against pediatric HIV. Despite these hurdles, 82% of Kenyan children living with HIV are receiving ART, a positive step forward, but more work is needed to ensure all affected children are identified and treated.
To accelerate progress, Kenya has committed to a plan to end AIDS in children by 2027. This plan includes strategies to end mother-to-child transmission, address the triple threat of new HIV infections, pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence among young people, and ensure that no child is born with HIV by 2027. It also emphasizes the importance of youth engagement in HIV prevention and care, as 35% of new HIV infections in Kenya in 2020 occurred among young people aged 15–24.
The funding gaps in HIV programs targeting children are significant. Research shows that pediatric testing, treatment, and economic support are among the most critical areas in need of investment. EGPAF advocates for better funding coordination, community-driven solutions, and increased domestic resources to address these gaps.
In collaboration with African governments and other organizations, EGPAF works to strengthen healthcare systems and improve outcomes for children and adolescents living with HIV. Recent innovations, such as pediatric antiretroviral drug optimization and long-acting HIV medications, are seen as potential game-changers in pediatric HIV treatment and prevention.
By integrating HIV services with broader health, social, and economic interventions, and involving communities in the response, there is hope for a future where no child is born with HIV.
