Ministry redesigns response to HIV
The Ministry of Health is redesigning the HIV response to align with the ongoing health sector reform under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
One of the key highlights in the restructuring of the HIV response according to Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha is the aligning of the funding available in the HIV response in support of operationalizing the Social Health Authority (SHA), that includes HIV prevention and control in the Essential Benefits Package within the context of publicly financed primary healthcare.
“In this regard, it is important to note that HIV care is included in the package even as the transition of financing models is discussed,” the CS said yesterday in Mombasa where she opened the HIV Service Delivery Integration summit hosted by the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP).
The good news, Nakhumicha told the Summit is that clients are at the center for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Advanced HIV disease is captured under the new model.
“I urge all our Persons Living with HIV to enroll and be members of SHA,” she said, noting that UHC provides access to integrated, people-centered healthcare services to securing progress towards ending HIV as a public health threat.
The CS was categorical that strengthening of Government institutions responsible for HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, safe blood supply management, supply chain management to the last mile, is key in HIV response under the new scheme.
“And this includes review of financial support models from stakeholders, including PEPFAR to increase proportional funding through Government-to-Government funding mechanisms at all levels,” she stated.
