NAIROBI, Kenya-The Kenyan government has signed six Global Funds amounting to US dollars 407,989,068 (Sh59.7 billion) to support HIV, TB and Malaria intervention and strengthen health and community systems during the implementation period of three years.
According to the Ministry of Health, the total amount for each component includes USD 232,580,654 for HIV Grand, USD 72,934,529 for Malaria Grant, USD 67,785,529 for TB Grant, and USD 34,688,220 for Health Systems Strengthening.
Y News understands that the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by diseases designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria epidemics globally.
The Kenya Coordinating Mechanism includes members of government, civil society, the private sector, and people living with the disease. Its purpose is to present funding proposals to the Global Fund and monitor program implementation.
Since 2003, the Global Fund support has helped the country achieve tremendous outcomes.
“In HIV, the Global Fund has supported the procurement of commodities, e.g. Antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV test kits, condoms and laboratory reagents. In a statement, they have also supported programmatic interventions at both health facilities and community level,” the Ministry of Health (MoH) said.
MoH also revealed that there has been a remarkable decline in new HIV infections and HIV-related mortality.
Currently, 1.4 million persons living with HIV are receiving lifesaving treatment at various facilities across the country.
“This progress is attributed to the decentralization of HIV services and collaboration between government development partners, non-state actors, stakeholders, counties and communities,” the statement reads.
Concerning the TB programme, MoH has recorded a treatment success rate of 86 pc. The average positivity rate among TB presumptive cases declined from 7.35 pc in 2021 to 5.6 pc in March 2024, while the absolute number tested more than doubled from 245,902 in 2021 to 502,970.
The Global Fund has partnered with the government of Kenya and provided support for establishing 1,933 community health units, training 18,500 community health promoters CHIPS and 3,700 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs).
“Similarly, the malaria programme has contributed to the overall reduction of malaria burden in Kenya, with the national preference declining from 8.2 pc in 2015 to 6 pc in 2023,” MoH said.
The new Global Fund grants will support providing quality care and prevention services for all people with TB, leprosy, and lung diseases.
Contribute to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage through comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment and care, and reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 75 pc by 2027.
These funds will also seek to strengthen health systems at the facility and community levels.
Facilitate the procurement of TB, malaria, and HIV commodities, including medicines, laboratory supplies, test kits, and primary health care activities at the community level that align with the universal health care agenda.
Social support and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) premiums for TB/HIV/Malaria needy patients to access a complete SHIF benefit package.
