Despite significant advancements in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the birth of more than 4,000 HIV-positive babies in Kenya in 2023 highlights persistent challenges. These births occurred despite the availability of free antiretroviral (ARV) medications designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Such figures point to systemic barriers that continue to undermine efforts to eradicate pediatric HIV.
One of the critical hurdles in preventing transmission is ensuring that expectant mothers living with HIV receive proper medical care. Many women only seek antenatal care late in their pregnancies or not at all, making it difficult to initiate life-saving treatments early. Lack of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding increases the risk of transmitting the virus to the infant.
Even after birth, infants exposed to HIV face additional challenges. Early testing remains inadequate due to a lack of point-of-care diagnostic tools and poorly structured follow-up systems. Without timely diagnosis, many children cannot start treatment promptly, leaving them vulnerable to severe health complications.
In counties like Homa Bay, which has over 10,000 HIV-positive children, the pediatric HIV burden remains disproportionately high. This underscores the urgent need for localized interventions tailored to high-burden areas.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is one of the leading organizations working to tackle these challenges. In collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, EGPAF focuses on several key areas:
Scaling Up Prevention Services
Efforts are underway to ensure that the next generation of parents is HIV-free. This includes comprehensive education and access to preventive treatments.
Innovative Testing and Treatment
Expanding testing approaches to identify children living with HIV and initiating treatment immediately is a priority.
Community-Based Interventions
Bringing healthcare services closer to communities allows pregnant women and mothers to access care more easily.
Integrated Health Services
Combining HIV care with other health services strengthens the overall system, ensuring long-term survival for affected families.
The Kenyan government’s Plan to End AIDS in Children by 2027 aligns with these efforts. It focuses on eliminating mother-to-child transmission, addressing new infections among young people, and ensuring the voices of children are included in policy planning.
Kenya’s pediatric HIV challenges cannot be solved by healthcare interventions alone; sustained political will and funding are critical. African governments must prioritize the elimination of pediatric AIDS at both national and continental levels.
Additionally, healthcare providers need better training and resources to identify and treat HIV-exposed infants effectively. Introducing rapid point-of-care diagnostic tools and strengthening follow-up mechanisms will ensure timely treatment initiation.
Community-based organizations play a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of early antenatal care and adherence to ART regimens. Advocacy campaigns can also combat stigma, which often deters women from seeking necessary care.
The fight against pediatric HIV in Kenya is far from over. While progress has been made, systemic gaps in care, diagnostics, and treatment must be addressed urgently. By focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and robust healthcare systems, Kenya can work toward achieving its 2027 goal of ending AIDS in children.
This mission requires collective effort from policymakers, healthcare workers, and communities to ensure no child is born with or left untreated for HIV.
