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Patients living with HIV can now breathe a sigh of relief after donors pledged to extend funding Aids prevention and treatment for three more years.

 Earlier, the donors had asked the government to start putting in place a sustainable funding mechanism before 2027, when they were initially expected to pull out.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health revealed that the donors had agreed to extend that grace period for three more years.

 Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai (pictured) made the announcement last evening.

Kenya was expected to transition from donor reliance by 2027 after its economic status was revised from low income to a middle income country in 2014.

“By 2027, funders were to be packing and going away. We requested them to stay until 2030. It is only seven years away. Are we ready as a nation?” Kimtai posed when he declared the Maisha Scientific conference 2023 in Mombasa officially opened.

Kimtai said currently, the country’s funding for HIV has risen by 33 per cent, mostly covering the ministry’s wage bill.