Medics at Mwingi Level IV Hospital have raised alarm over increasing HIV/Aids prevalence rate as the number of the patients on anti-retroviral drugs shoots up.
Speaking to KNA in his office, the doctor in charge of the hospital Samuel Mumo noted that for the last two months 73 patients have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDs thus increasing the total number of patients on the HIV/AIDs treatment this year to 6, 893.
“The number will shoot up since the year is not yet over. The number has been climbing. By 2017, we had a total of 5,099 patients on HIV/AIDs treatment,” said the doctor.
“We receive many patients daily seeking the HIV/AIDs medications and our records indicate that females are the most affected as compared to men whose percentage is a bit low,” Dr. Mumo added.
The medic observed that the hospital through its reproductive health programmes has been undertaking interventions to reduce the spread of the scourge.
“We have been undertaking anti HIV/AIDs campaigns, educating residents even through mass media and also organizing barazas at community levels to shed light on the disease and promote behaviour change,” said Dr Mumo.
Data obtained at Mwingi Level IV hospital indicated that the number of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDs has been climbing yearly as well as those receiving the treatment.
The data reveal that prevalence rate is estimated at 30 per cent in children born affected with HIV/AIDs that is either the parents are HIV/AIDs positive or the child has the virus. It further reviews the death rates due to HIV/AIDs related complications stands at approximately 36 per cent yearly.
In recent years, the country has experienced a notable decline in HIV prevalence and attributed in part to significant behavioral change and increased access to anti-retroviral drugs.
“Although awareness of HIV and AIDS is high in Kitui County, many people living with HIV face high levels of stigma and discrimination which prevent people accessing HIV services,” said Dr Mumo who called on the residents to feel free to test themselves so as to know their statuses.
The County has adopted a number of innovative approaches to HIV testing including targeted community-based HIV testing, door-to-door testing, campaigns, and the introduction of self-testing kits.
By KNA Team
