Kenya's paediatric HIV response was showcased at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with Head of NASCOP Andrew Mulwa participating in a high-level global panel on paediatric HIV. Mulwa discussed Kenya's progress in partnerships and the remaining gaps to be addressed for children living with and affected by HIV. He highlighted the country's achievements in preventing mother-to-child transmission and early infant diagnosis.
Dr. Mulwa emphasized that failure to address paediatric HIV will undermine the adult response, stressing the need for sustained efforts to close the gaps in the response. Kenya is working to end mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2030, with a current transmission rate of 7.3 per cent, against the global target of below five per cent. This means about seven in every 100 babies born to mothers living with HIV still acquire the virus.
Paediatric HIV infections in Kenya are primarily linked to mothers not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy, stopping treatment while breastfeeding, or defaulting on treatment. To address these challenges, Mulwa shared Kenya's healthcare plan, which focuses on integrating HIV services into primary healthcare, maternal and child health programmes, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The integration of HIV services into primary healthcare aims to sustain the progress made in the HIV response while protecting specialized expertise and community partnerships that have driven the response. Dr. Mulwa emphasized the need to protect what's been achieved, close the paediatric HIV gap, strengthen country ownership, and build sustainable systems to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Kenya's efforts to address paediatric HIV are critical, given the country's progress in expanding treatment and viral suppression among children and adolescents. The government's commitment to integrating HIV services into primary healthcare and maternal and child health programmes is expected to enhance the response. However, persistent gaps in the response, including the high transmission rate, need to be addressed.
The global engagement at the UNGA provided a platform for Kenya to share its experiences and lessons learned in addressing paediatric HIV. Dr. Mulwa's participation in the high-level panel highlighted the country's commitment to addressing the issue. The integration of HIV services into primary healthcare and maternal and child health programmes is expected to enhance the response and improve health outcomes for children and adolescents.
Kenya's paediatric HIV response is critical to achieving the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The country's progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission and expanding treatment and viral suppression among children and adolescents is a positive step towards achieving this goal. However, sustained efforts are needed to close the remaining gaps in the response and ensure that children and adolescents living with HIV receive the care and support they need.
Key points
- Kenya aims to end mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2030.
- The country's paediatric HIV response was showcased at the UNGA.
- Kenya is integrating HIV services into primary healthcare and maternal and child health programmes.
