The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council has reassured Kenyans that the country has sufficient anti-retroviral (ARV) and Tuberculosis (TB) drugs despite concerns over the USAID funding freeze. This assurance comes in the wake of rising fears among the over 1.3 million Kenyans living with HIV/AIDS who rely on these essential medications.
The freeze, which was originally announced during Donald Trump’s presidency, threatens to cut over Ksh 25 billion in annual funding for healthcare programs, directly affecting more than 41,500 healthcare workers across the country. Despite this looming financial shortfall, Dr. Laibon Masha, the council’s CEO, has emphasized that there is no immediate crisis as the government has sufficient stock to continue supplying essential medications.
Dr. Masha, speaking at a county executive members’ health meeting in Naivasha, urged county governments to develop localized interventions to mitigate the funding gap and ensure HIV/AIDS-related services remain uninterrupted. He also called upon the United States to reconsider its funding freeze, highlighting the impact the move could have on Kenya’s long-standing battle against HIV/AIDS and TB.
“The Kenyan government must seize this imminent US funding freeze to reorganize its operations and budget, filling the Ksh 25 billion gap to secure uninterrupted healthcare services,” Masha stated. He stressed the need for counties to formulate sustainable strategies to support the affected 11,000 frontline health workers at county levels.
Currently, Kenya has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with 98% of people living with the virus aware of their status, and 94% of them achieving viral suppression. This progress has been largely attributed to the widespread availability of ARVs and increased awareness campaigns.
While the USAID funding freeze presents a potential challenge, the Kenyan government remains committed to ensuring continuous access to ARVs and TB drugs. Masha’s call for internal funding reallocation and global donor support underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions in maintaining Kenya’s healthcare progress.
With this reassurance, Kenyans are urged to remain calm as the government works on long-term strategies to safeguard the gains made in combating HIV/AIDS and TB.
