Kenya is facing a looming crisis in the health sector, with experts warning that the country’s supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs could run out within six months. This follows the recent decision by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to cease funding key health programs in the country.
The freeze in US foreign aid has already had a profound impact, affecting over 41,000 employees, mostly health workers, who were previously supported under these programs. Counties have stated that they lack the capacity to absorb the laid-off workers into their health systems.
During a multi-sectoral consultative meeting on HIV and syndemic disease response at Lake Naivasha Resort, Khatra Ali, a board member of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), raised concerns over the dwindling ARV stock. She noted that patients have started stockpiling medication in anticipation of a shortage, leading to longer queues at health facilities.
Ali, who also represents the Council of Governors (COG) in the NSDCC, stressed the urgent need for intervention. “The supplies we have will last us for just six months. People are trying to keep stock because they don’t want to find themselves in a mess,” she stated.
The funding cut has not only affected ARV distribution but has also impacted other critical health programs, including tuberculosis (TB) and malaria initiatives. Ali highlighted that Kenya relies heavily on donor-funded programs and that the withdrawal of US support could cripple the country’s fight against these diseases.
Additionally, she warned that Kenya risks losing critical health data stored on US-supported systems. “Most of our data is with the U.S. government. If we are unable to download it within 90 days, the system will shut down,” she cautioned.
Despite the growing concerns, NSDCC CEO Dr. Ruth Masha has downplayed the risk of an ARV shortage. She reassured the public that the government is working with other development partners to ensure a continuous supply of medication. “The Kenyan government provides ARVs, not just the donors. The U.S. contribution was significant, but we are looking at alternative funding streams to reorganize ourselves,” she said.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are calling for urgent collaboration between the national government, counties, and donors to mitigate the crisis and ensure that HIV patients continue to receive life-saving medication without interruption.
