The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has pledged to support thousands of HIV/AIDS patients left in limbo following the abrupt closure of the Ampath Uzima project, a program previously funded by the US government. This intervention comes after Ampath sent hundreds of its staff on unpaid leave and indefinitely shut down its clinics.
MTRH CEO Dr. Phillip Kirwa assured patients that their treatment and care would continue despite the disruption. He stated that many workers from the Ampath clinics would still be available to provide services, as they were employed by MTRH and other partner agencies.
“Patients will not be disadvantaged because the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS remain a priority. The hospital and other agencies will ensure that mechanisms are in place to sustain patient care,” said Kirwa during a briefing at MTRH in Eldoret, where the Ampath Centre is based.
The crisis follows a directive from US President Donald Trump to halt foreign aid to specific programs, including those supporting HIV/AIDS treatment in Kenya. A letter dated January 31, 2025, from Usaid Ampath Uzima Chief of Party, Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, informed employees of the suspension, instructing them to proceed on unpaid leave from February 1, 2025. The letter referenced an executive order issued on January 24, 2025, calling for a reevaluation of US foreign aid.
Affected employees were seen vacating their offices, expressing concerns about the fate of thousands of patients who depended on Ampath services. The program had reached over one million people through counseling and testing, while more than 120,000 individuals relied on its support.
Kimaiyo, who has led Ampath for over eight years, declined to comment on the situation.
Meanwhile, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi acknowledged the potential economic strain of the aid freeze but assured Kenyans that the government was preparing a contingency plan. Speaking in Naivasha, Mbadi stated that if the US stops foreign aid, Kenya would reallocate funds from the development budget to sustain crucial health programs.
“We will have no alternative but to slash part of the development budget to finance critical health programs. There is no cause for alarm, as we are already taking measures to ensure that vital programs like the fight against HIV/AIDS are not paralyzed,” Mbadi stated.
He further emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the continuity of health services, affirming that Kenya would not allow patients to suffer due to the withdrawal of US funding. However, he noted that the government was still awaiting official communication from the US regarding the freeze.
As the situation unfolds, MTRH’s intervention provides a temporary lifeline for HIV/AIDS patients. The next steps, including the government’s financing strategies, will be crucial in determining the long-term sustainability of these essential health services.
