AMPATH Partners Commemorate World AIDS Day 2024

AMPATH partners commemorated international World AIDS Day 2024 on December 1 with educational and health events throughout western Kenya and at the national event in Nairobi. The activities were aimed at remembering those lost, providing health screening and linkage to care and recommitting to ending the epidemic by sharing the most recent advances in prevention and treatment.

USAID AMPATH Uzima

USAID AMPATH Uzima, in partnership with the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital AIDS Control Unit, held a series of pre-event awareness campaigns leading up to World AIDS Day. Under the theme "It's a Race Against Time," the initiative aimed at accelerating the global movement toward eradicating AIDS by 2030.

The sessions were enriched by support from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital College of Health Sciences and the Moi University Clinical Research Centre (MUCRC). During one of the awareness sessions, AMPATH clinician and program officer Eve Too emphasized, “Testing positive is not the end of the road,” as she outlined innovations in HIV care and treatment.

Participants also learned about key prevention strategies including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). In addition to free HIV screening services, the program provided information on care and treatment, U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) messaging, and other critical services such as PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission), cervical cancer screening and TB preventive services.

On World AIDS Day, December 1, USAID AMPATH Uzima joined the county’s commemoration, held alongside the TechRun Marathon organized by Eldo Hub in partnership with the UK Tech Hub, Athletics Kenya and the Uasin Gishu County Government.

The event, graced by Dr. Ed Barnett, MBE, Deputy British High Commissioner, featured his participation in the men’s elite 10KM race. Eldo Hub, a tech innovation company, supports women and youth (18-35) by enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage digital economy opportunities, emphasizing inclusion, skill development and green job creation.

Dr. Abraham Serem, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Health and Sanitation, noted the county's 3.7% HIV prevalence rate, urging collaboration to address inequalities and strengthen health systems against further infections.

USAID AMPATH Uzima provided free screenings for athletes and guests, promoting U=U and prevention strategies. AMPATH's Chronic Diseases Management team also offered blood sugar, blood pressure and weight assessment to clients.

In West Pokot County, a 2km procession in Kapenguria raised awareness with impactful placards. Two running races engaged more than 300 participants in kids, junior and elite categories. More than 100 trees were planted at Makutano Primary with Kenya Medical Training College support. Entertainment and stories were shared from people living with HIV and dance crews led by the Carelifters.

In Trans Nzoia County, a procession to Milimani Primary School brought together diverse groups. Tree planting, entertainment, and free HIV prevention services including testing and self-testing kits were part of the event. The event focused on reducing mother-to-child transmission and promoting community-driven prevention efforts.

USAID Dumisha Afya

Bungoma and Busia Counties joined the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day under the theme “It’s a Race Against Time: Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Men and Boys.” This year’s focus shone a spotlight on the often-overlooked challenges men and boys face in accessing healthcare, particularly in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. The event united stakeholders, leaders, and community members emphasizing inclusivity, mental well-being, and the empowerment of men and boys.

In Bungoma County, USAID Dumisha Afya and other partners, recipients of care, and the community gathered at the Webuye Pan Paper grounds in a vibrant commemoration. The event united stakeholders, leaders, and community members in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, emphasizing inclusivity, mental well-being, and the empowerment of men and boys in accessing healthcare.

The Deputy Governor of Bungoma County, Jennifer Mbatiany, speaking on behalf of CS Health, Dr. Deborah Mulongo, highlighted Kenya’s remarkable progress in HIV/AIDS recovery. She noted a 98% recovery rate among adults and a significant reduction in AIDS-related deaths by 2023. Mbatiany urged for sustained efforts to address remaining gaps and achieve self-reliance in HIV response by 2030 while fostering inclusivity and combating stigma.

The CEC Health, Caroline Makali, emphasized the power of community advocacy and awareness in combating HIV/AIDS and promoting inclusivity. She called for collective action to address the social and systemic barriers hindering progress, encouraging stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in achieving health equity.

The area Member of Parliament, Hon. Wanyonyi Martin Pepela, celebrated the resilience of those living with HIV/AIDS, acknowledged their courage and reminded the community that there is life beyond the diagnosis. He commended the efforts of all partners and stakeholders and urged continued commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Ashiono Everline, chief of party of USAID Dumisha Afya, underscored the need for collective action and partnerships in achieving impactful and sustainable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She noted that behind every statistic is a father, a son or brother whose life and potential are invaluable although they are part of the population that has historically been underserved in the HIV response.

Dr. Ashiono emphasized the importance of promoting the health and well-being of men and boys to not only reduce HIV infections and improve outcomes for the recipients of care, but also address the broader challenges they face including mental health, access to services, and societal expectations that hinder health-seeking behaviour. She highlighted the strategies USAID Dumisha Afya has put in place to reach men and boys across the county and appreciated the support received from PEPFAR through USAID East Africa which has seen the great progress made in the fight against HIV.

Edwin Lwanya, on behalf of Dr. Ruth, CEO of NSDCC, commended Bungoma County for hosting World AIDS Day 2024. He highlighted Kenya’s progress in reducing HIV prevalence while addressing challenges like new infections and the triple threat. Lwanya reaffirmed NSDCC’s commitment to supporting the well-being of men and boys and empowering youth through knowledge to make informed decisions, urging collective action for equity and inclusivity in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

In Busia County, commemoration at the county headquarters highlighted the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, with a sobering focus on rising infection rates among youth and adolescents. County Commissioner Mr. Mwachaunga Chaunga called for strengthened community collaboration to tackle the rising HIV infection rates among youth and adolescents. He commended ongoing efforts by the community and urged young people to make informed choices and avoid engaging in early sexual activity.

Dr. Wilberforce Lusamba, County Chief Officer for Health, highlighted the importance of adopting comprehensive strategies to curb the epidemic. He called for enhanced awareness, early testing, and access to treatment services as a key measure in reducing the spread of HIV.

According to the County AIDS and STIs Coordinator, Ms. Constance Were, people need to be flexible to undergo HIV testing, framing the current efforts as a "race against time" to achieve the ambitious goals of ending AIDS by 2030 and suppressing the viral threat. The call to action emphasized collaborative efforts from all community stakeholders.

Ms. Were stressed that the county is struggling with high rates of mother-to child transmissions and high rates of new infections among adolescents and young persons which are dragging down HIV programming efforts.

Both counties’ events were a testament to the power of partnerships with collaborative efforts targeting men and boys making strides in addressing not only HIV/AIDS but also broader health and societal challenges supported by the unwavering commitment of PEPFAR and USAID East Africa. Their ongoing efforts continue to strengthen Kenya’s health systems, promote healthy behaviors, and enhance the delivery of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in Bungoma and Busia counties while fostering collaboration among key stakeholders.

The unified call to action from Bungoma and Busia was clear: the race against time requires urgency, advocacy, and inclusivity. By promoting the health and well-being of men and boys, these communities are paving the way for a future free of HIV/AIDS.

HIV-Exposed Infant Graduation

Busia County celebrated a remarkable achievement as part of World AIDS Day: the HIV-Exposed Infant (HEI) Graduation. The event marked a significant milestone in recognizing the progress made in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Between October 2023 and September 2024, a total of 721 HEIs were under follow-up had their HIV status known and 706 (98%) were uninfected. While some infants faced setbacks—such as 15 infections--this progress underscores the ongoing commitment to reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission in the region.

The graduation ceremony, supported by USAID Dumisha Afya in partnership with the Ministry of Health, honored the 44 HEIs who completed their 24-month follow-up period. Parents were facilitated to attend the celebration and the HEIs received gift packs courtesy of the program. The event culminated in a heartwarming cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the resilience and collective achievement of families, healthcare workers, and stakeholders in the fight against HIV. It was a moment of joy, hope, and reflection on the progress made in ensuring healthier outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.

The success of this initiative was driven by key interventions. By integrating PMTCT services with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programs, there was improved support for mothers at risk. At the county level, health management teams adopted strategies to ensure the delivery of quality care including monthly review meetings with community health promoters that tracked antenatal care referrals; the establishment of a PMTCT task force in Busia County; and the integration of PMTCT services at supported sites. The expansion of electronic medical records (EMR) facilities—from 13 to 53—further highlights the county's commitment to improving HIV care and support. These efforts helped strengthen the health system and improve service delivery.

The celebration, however, served as a reminder of the importance of early health-seeking behaviors, particularly for pregnant women, and the need to enroll in Social Health Insurance programs to enhance access to essential healthcare services.

The annual HEI graduation has become a powerful symbol of the collective efforts in the fight against HIV transmission, honoring the resilience of both the infants and their families, and celebrating the progress that continues to be made in Busia County’s PMTCT journey.

USAID 4TheChild

Beneficiaries and staff of USAID 4TheChild observed the day by marching through Kisumu City while displaying strategic HIV/AIDS messages. Participants later convened at the Kisumu Sports Ground – joining officials from national and county governments and other stakeholders in sharing their journey in the fight against the HIV pandemic. 

The event was graced by Kisumu County Director of Public Health Dr. Fredrick Oluoch who noted that the county had made notable strides in the fight against the disease. However, men in the county carried the highest HIV burden which showed the need for concerted efforts across government structures and development partners to enhance HIV prevention interventions.

In Siaya, the project took part in the launch of the county’s Adolescents and Young People Action Plan on HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for the period 2024-2027. The plan contains key components that target young people including prevention programs that promote safe sex practices, condom distribution, and access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Through the DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) platform, USAID 4TheChild seeks to empower young people, especially Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), and advances gender equality across many sectors including health, education and economic growth.

USAID AMPATH Uzima, USAID Dumisha Afya and USAID 4TheChild activities are supported by USAID through PEPFAR with support from the American People.

Nairobi – National Event
At the Kenyan national event in Nairobi, held in partnership with the National Syndemic Diseases Control County (NSDCC) and TV47, a team from USAID AMPATH Uzima joined the national 5km corporate race at Nyayo Stadium. They also hosted an exhibition booth with U=U, Operation Triple Zero and prevention services. The booth distributed self-test kits and condoms, spotlighting HIV prevention. TV47 aired an interview from the booth.

The Uzima team engaged with high-profile guests including the CS Health Dr. Debra Mulongo and Dr. Barbara Mambo, the National Professional Officer for HIV Care and Treatment at the World Health Organization (WHO). They also networked with the “King of Condoms.”

Webinar Focuses on Youth Mental Health

The Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, an AMPATH Consortium partner, hosted a panel discussion on "Collective Action for Adolescent Mental Health Services at AMPATH Kenya" featuring Eunice Tenet, MD, from MTRH, Rachel Vreeman, MD, MS and Brittany McCoy, MD, from Mount Sinai.