Following the US president Donald Trump’s announcement on the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), concerns have sparked over the future of HIV/AIDS program in Kenya, a country that is heavily reliant on foreign aid to combat the epidemic.
Kenya houses an estimation of about 1.4 million people living with HIV and are relying on donor fundings of about 70% to cater for its response measures. The US however, through initiatives like the presidential emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) has been a key financier, providing antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs, testing kits and facilitating community outreaches.
Public health experts have gone aboard to warn that the withdrawal could disrupt critical supply chains and undermine ongoing efforts for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, programs targeting vulnerable populations including the prevention of mother to child transmissions and youth education campaigns face potential setbacks.
“The reliance on donor funding, particularly from the US, has sustained Kenya’s HIV/AIDS programs for years. Any disruption could have devastating consequences for patients,” said a health policy expert.
The kenyan government in now under pressure to boost domestic funding to cover potential gaps. The ministry of health has called for regional collaboration and innovative funding structures to ensure uninterrupted access for life saving treatment of patients.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Kenya’s Director-General of Health, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral health partnerships and increasing domestic financing to mitigate the anticipated shortfall.
“Collaboration with international partners is critical to ensure that our health priorities are not compromised,” he emphasized.
Kenya’s Director of General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth|Photo Courtesy|
Healthcare advocates warn that delays and shortages of ARVs could reverse gains in reducing HIV-related deaths. Patients in rural and underserved areas are particularly at risk of loosing access to essential services.
Critics, however, argue that the effort of Donald Trump to withdraw the US from the WHO means a weakening in the efforts of global fights against public crises. Without WHO’s leadership, experts fear that Kenya’s efforts to implement universal health coverage and combat HIV/AIDS could falter.
As uncertainty looms, stakeholders are urging for swift action to safeguard Kenya’s progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS, amid fears of looming health crisis.
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