Human Immunodeficiency Virus( HIV) continues to be a major public health challenge in Kenya, with approximately 1.4 million individuals living with the virus.
Despite notable progress in treatment, prevention, and education, the country still faces significant challenges such as gender inequality, stigma, limited healthcare access, funding gaps and insufficient medical supplies.
In Kenya, the supply chain supporting People Living with HIV is efficiently coordinated by KEMSA, MEDS, MOH, and county governments and is significantly supported by international donors, such as the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and other organizations. However, reliance on external funding poses a challenge, particularly in ensuring the sustainability of HIV programs.
For instance, the recent decision by the United States government to suspend funding for various global health programs, including HIV/AIDS initiatives, has placed additional strain on Kenya’s response to the epidemic.
Despite these financial challenges, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa, acknowledged the critical role that international partners have played in strengthening the country’s HIV response.
She made these remarks while officially overseeing the shipment of essential HIV commodities at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). This milestone underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring continued access to life-saving HIV treatment and prevention resources, amidst global funding uncertainties.
Among the flagged-off commodities are:
- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): Currently, there are 2,026,555 packs at both KEMSA and MEDS, translating to 4.7 months of stock (MoS). Over 4.8 million packs will be delivered between now and June 2025, which will increase Central level stocks to over 11 months of stock by end of June, 2025.
- Abacavir/Lamivudine 120/60mg Dispersible tablets, packs of 30s Which is the first line ARV in pediatric patients, administered together with Dolutegravir 10mg dispersible tablets. Currently, there are over 326,000 packs at KEMSA, translating to over 7.4 months of stock. There are plans to introduce a fixed dose combination of pediatric Abacavir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir from August, 2025. Over 18 months of stock of this product are on order, with scheduled deliveries from June, 2025 onwards.
- Nevirapine Suspension, 100ML bottles
This ARV is used for infant prophylaxis as part of elimination of vertical transmission of HIV. Currently, there are over 510,000 bottles at MEDS, translating to 8.4 months of stock. All this stock is at MEDS and forms part of the consignment that we are flagging off today.
- HIV Testing commodities : The Country has fully transitioned to the 3-Test Algorithm, which utilizes three different tests to confirm the HIV status of individuals.
Trinscreen : Currently there are 8,330,300 tests at KEMSA and MEDS which translate to 10 months of stock. Additionally, there are 1,483,125 tests of the HIV/Syphilis duo test kit (Standard Q) that is used for screening in ANC settings, translating to 14.5 months of stock.
One Step: Currently, there are 565,575 tests translating to 21.8 months of stock.
First Response : Currently there are 348,770 tests at KEMSA and MEDS translating 21 months of stocks.
- Early Infant Diagnosis (EID): This is a test done to determine the HIV status of infants exposed to HIV. The tests are performed in 9 testing laboratories in the Country using the ROCHE C8800/6800 platform.
Currently, there are 18,432 tests at MEDS translating to 1.7 months of stock. The Ministry of Health is expediting the delivery of 52,608 tests by April 2025 to support uninterrupted service delivery.
- Viral Load
This is a test done at PLHIV for treatment monitoring. Currently, Viral Load Testing is conducted in 12 central laboratories using three conventional platforms namely; ABBOTT Alinity, Hologic Panther, and ROCHE 6800/8800.
In total the country currently has 446,436 viral load tests that translate to 3.5 months of stocks. The Ministry of Health is expediting the delivery of the pending Alinity and Roche reagents by April 2025 to support uninterrupted service delivery.
- Male Condoms
Currently, there are 1.6 million pieces of male condoms. There was a recent distribution of over 9 million pieces to health facilities. The Ministry of Health is expediting the delivery of the pending quantity of 28 million pieces. An additional 93 million pieces are under procurement at KEMSA.
While Kenya has made these significant progress, gaps remain in supply chain continuity, especially in remote areas, as well as in addressing stigma and digitizing drug distribution systems. Dr. Barasa emphasized the need for innovative solutions to :
- Strengthen local manufacturing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to enhance HIV commodity security and foster sustainable growth.
- Integrate HIV patients into the national health insurance scheme to ensure swift distribution of essential commodities
- To improve efficiency and track commodity distribution.
- Empower communities to lead in the fight against stigma, and to act as a bridge between the healthcare system and those who need it most.
As Kenya continues to build a resilient healthcare system under the President’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, collaboration among all stakeholders remains essential.
