People of AMPATH: Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, Executive Director of Care Programs

Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo is the AMPATH executive director of care programs and the Chief of Party of the USAID-funded AMPATHPlus program. He is also an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Moi University, a Consultant and Physician at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Kimaiyo has been involved in all aspects of AMPATH since its inception. 

After graduating from medical school at the University of Nairobi, he spent five years at Moi University as an internal medicine lecturer which he calls “My most beloved career.” Kimaiyo then travelled to Indiana University for a two-year fellowship to learn more about HIV and cardiology. It is during this time that AMPATH was created to treat those with HIV. Some of the patients who had been expected to succumb to HIV while he was in the U.S. instead became the first patients to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and made miraculous recoveries.

While at IU, Kimaiyo had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Joe Wheat who was a leader in HIV care and who also provided the funds to treat the first HIV+ Kenyan patients. When he returned to Kenya, Kimaiyo, alongside Joe Mamlin, former MTRH CEO Haroun Mengech and Bob Einterz, became the Kenyan leader of the growing HIV care and control effort.

 AMPATHPlus has grown to currently provide care for more than 200,000 HIV+ patients in 11 Counties throughout western Kenya. Additionally, the foundation created by the HIV program is now being used to build a comprehensive model of population health inclusive of care for chronic diseases and the availability of insurance from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Government of Kenya.

Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo

Professor Joe Mamlin from Indiana University has worked with Professor Kimaiyo throughout his career and said that Kimaiyo being there with interest and experience at the advent of AMPATH was a “match made in heaven.” He added that Kimaiyo has been fundamental to the success of the AMPATH partnership over the ensuing two decades. “His presence and stature has developed over time, not only within AMPATH, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Moi University, but nationwide. He’s been asked to represent us all over the world, which he has done wonderfully,” said Mamlin. He said it was Kimaiyo’s integrity and leadership that enabled Moi to become one of the first Kenyan institutions to be the prime grant recipients from USAID and PEPFAR.

“He is an extremely strong leader and has created an authentic level of leadership. He has a legacy that few people could match,” Mamlin continued.

“Joe and I are alike in many ways, actually you can’t even tell who is taller between us,” Kimaiyo remarked.

When and why did you become interested in working in health care?

After volunteering for the Red Cross from 1977 to 1978 and also staffing the school dispensary for Turkana girls in 1979, I realized making a difference in people's lives by caring for people and helping my community lead healthy lives is very fulfilling. Doing all that is what nudged me to enroll for medical school the following year.

What does your work include?

I oversee AMPATH care programs but spend 80 percent of my time on HIV care as the Chief of Party for the USAID funded AMPATHPlus project. I oversee all aspects of program implementation and management; stakeholder coordination with USAID and Government of Kenya counterparts and implementing partners; and ensure overall project quality, results, and compliance. In addition to that, I also provide strategic leadership to the design and implementation of HIV service delivery activities and oversee program planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

 Tell us more about USAID?

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been instrumental in our success. It is impossible to highlight our achievements without acknowledging the support from USAID. They have funded the HIV program for over a decade making it possible to care for our patients by establishing Comprehensive Care Clinics across the Counties we support.

 What excites you or makes you the most proud about the work you are doing?

The epitome of our work here is being able to save many lives by ensuring our patients continue to live a normal and healthy life as before. It is also fascinating to see the program growing, not only from offering primary HIV care, but managing other chronic diseases as well. As we continue to establish comprehensive models of care across the counties we serve, it will be great to see counties absorb this system and make it sustainable for the communities.

What makes the AMPATH partnership special?

It’s simple. We “lead with care.” Notably this is what sets us apart from other health institutions doing similar work, because it is the needs of the patient that draws us closer. We respond to their needs by setting up sustainable interventions to combat realistic challenges they face every day. Being able to be part of the program and see it grow from ground up has to be the one most fulfilling accomplishment.

What are your goals for the future of your program?

My greatest joy will be to see this model of care transitioned to the Counties who will take it up and continue to provide sustainable care in the community while we continue to provide support and guidance.

Kimaiyo is a recipient of the Order of Grand Warrior Award of Kenya which was presented to him by the former President of Kenya Hon. Mwai Kibaki.