Kenya is on the brink of a major HIV treatment crisis following the decision by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to freeze health sector funding. The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has warned that the country’s stock of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs could run out within six months, creating widespread anxiety among HIV/AIDS patients and healthcare providers.
The impending shortage has sparked panic among people living with HIV, many of whom are rushing to stockpile their medication. The fear of running out of ARVs has led to long queues in hospitals and clinics, where patients are attempting to secure additional supplies ahead of a possible crisis.
During a multi-sectoral consultative meeting on HIV and syndemic disease response at Lake Naivasha Resort, Khatru Ali, a board member of NSDCC representing the Council of Governors (COG), emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“We have been told that the supplies we have will last for around six months, and the queue in hospitals to access those drugs is long because people want to keep stock,” she said.
Beyond ARV treatment, the USAID funding freeze has severely impacted other critical health services, particularly those dealing with HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Additionally, about 41,000 healthcare workers, many of whom were supported by USAID, are now at risk of losing their jobs, putting further strain on Kenya’s already struggling health system.
Khatru also raised concerns about Kenya’s dependence on the US for crucial health data. She warned that the country could face disruptions in accessing health information if it fails to secure its own records within 90 days.
“We are in a mess as all our data are with the US government, and within 90 days, if we are unable to download some of our data, the USAID system will shut down,” she cautioned.
Despite the growing fears, NSDCC CEO Ruth Masha has attempted to calm the public by assuring that the country still has sufficient ARV stocks and is actively working with other partners to ensure continued supply.
Addressing the press during the Naivasha meeting, Dr. Masha urged HIV/AIDS patients to continue taking their medication, stating that there was no immediate threat of a complete ARV shortage.
“The US government contribution was large, but we are going to look at other funding streams and see how we can reorganize ourselves,” she said.
She also urged county governments to take proactive steps in addressing service disruptions, particularly as over 41,500 healthcare workers had been supported by USAID.
The crisis has reignited discussions on the need for Kenya to reduce its dependence on foreign aid for critical health programs. George Karoki, the Kirinyaga County CEC for Health, acknowledged the US government’s long-standing support but stressed the need for alternative solutions.
“Due to the funding cut, challenges will come our way many times, but as leaders, we must look for ways and methods of how we get solutions,” he stated.
As concerns over a potential ARV shortage continue to mount, health officials and stakeholders are calling for swift intervention to ensure uninterrupted treatment for the thousands of HIV/AIDS patients who rely on these life-saving drugs.
