AMPATH Partners Lead Health Initiatives in Western Kenya

In communities throughout western Kenya, AMPATH initiatives such as the ones highlighted here are supporting care, training and research to improve health by working in partnership to build public sector health systems and promote well-being.

Available services at the Webuye Eye Clinic are listed.

The Webuye Sub-County Hospital is a Level 4 facility with a Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) and several ongoing care, education and research initiatives including those focused on chronic non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, other infectious diseases, nutrition, HIV, water and sanitation, maternal and child health and health informatics.

Malaria research initiatives are led by Dr. Jeremiah Laktabai, Dr. Andrew Obala, Dr. Diana Menya, Dr. Wendy O’Meara and Dr. Judith Mangeni and include a focus on improving access to diagnostic testing to reduce unnecessary consumption of antimalarials which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Studies are underway to test ways to expand diagnostic testing in both the formal and informal health sectors including a drug subsidy for treatment of those who test positive. Other aspects of the research include understanding individual malaria transmission and identifying febrile (fever) illnesses not caused by malaria in rural, malaria-endemic areas.

The Partnership for Education and Research Laboratory (PEARL) is also located in Webuye Sub-County Hospital. PEARL supports training for clinical microscopy, collaborative research efforts, continuing medical education in laboratory techniques for medical trainees and clinicians, and links Webuye Sub-County Hospital with experts at Moi University for training and assistance with diagnosis.

Webuye Sub-County Hospital has also implemented a National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) project that encourages people to seek treatment by offering exemplary services. This has been very successful with 60 percent of patients seen in the hospital having NHIF. AMPATH’s Population Health activities have supported this effort by advocating for the use of NHIF in local communities.

Turbo Sub-County Hospital also hosts a CCC and research activities. AMPATH investigators Professor Winstone Nyandiko, Dr. Rachel Vreeman and Dr. Rami Kantor lead the RESPECT Plus project to address HIV drug resistance research gaps in Kenyan children and adolescents. As antiviral drug coverage increases, so do global rates of HIV drug resistance which threaten achievement of the UNAIDS treatment goals.

The Strengthening Referral Networks for Management of Hypertension across the Health Systems (STRENGTHS) study seeks ways to improve the success of referrals for hypertension care in rural Kenya. Led by principal investigators Dr. Constantine Akwanalo and Dr. Jemimah Kamano, the AMPATH research project is comparing a combined intervention using health information technology and peer support with standard clinical care. A total of 1600 participants distributed across eight clusters were enrolled. The sites included Kiminini/Cherangany, Webuye, Kocholya, Mosoriot, Nambale/Matayos, Butula, Bunyala and Kwanza.

Bungoma County and Busia County also host CCCs and are part of the robust AMPATH HIV care program. Beginning in 2006, the Busia, Bungoma and Webuye clinics have been part of HIV care grants from USAID/PEPFAR to AMPATH (2006 –2016), AMPATHPlus (2016-2021) and the newest grant called USAID Dumisha Afya. The clinics provide a comprehensive HIV care and treatment package to people living with HIV. USAID Dumisha Afya provides care for more than 54,000 people living with HIV.

USAID AMPATH Uzima is an additional grant providing care for more than 55,000 people living with HIV in Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. AMPATH partner Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) is the prime recipient for USAID Dumisha Afya and USAID AMPATH Uzima.

Additionally, the USAID 4TheChild grant program aims to reach over 152,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in households affected by HIV and AIDS in Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu and Siaya counties. AMPATH partner Moi University is the prime recipient of the grant which also works with local implementing partners such as Community Research in Environment and Development Initiatives (CREADIS) in Bungoma County and Busia Parish Family Life Education Program (FLEP) in Busia County.