Kenya commits to support HIV/AIDS patients amid Trump funding freeze

 Speaking to the press in Naivasha on Wednesday after a meeting with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai said that the Ministry would reallocate some of its funds to critical health programmes as a sustainability measure. 

He expressed confidence that there were enough ARV drugs to cater to over 1.4 million people living with HIV AIDS. 

"They need not worry because we will sit down with Treasury to make sure we continue funding to support those receiving ARVs, malaria treatment and TB. It's a question of adding additional sources through the Treasury," Kimtai said. 

At the same time, the PS noted that the government would introduce a Quality of Care Bill as part of the reforms to improve health care in the country. 

The bill, which is expected to target both public and private facilities, will target access to quality healthcare and improve standards within the sector. 

On her part, KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said they had introduced a healthcare management system targeting health facilities across the country.

She added that this new management system would help improve efficiency and service delivery in health facilities while transforming the healthcare sector. 

The move comes after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) suspended their activities in the country following Trump's order to cut funding. 

The PEPFAR program was crucial in providing drugs to HIV AIDS patients to reduce infections and provide access to treatment. 

The move is expected to affect African countries supported by USAID. After the order took effect, African leaders have been exploring alternative funding sources for their critical programs.