The Centre for International Health Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB) has allocated Sh108 million through the Department of Health in the County Government of Makueni to combat HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment services for the next five years, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Emily Koech has said.
Koech disclosed that her organization is implementing the five-year work plan jointly with the health workers to ensure disease control and prevention in the programme dubbed ‘The partnership for advanced care and treatment ‘in the Lower Eastern region.
The CEO made the remarks at the Governor’s office in Wote Town when she led her team on a courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and his Deputy Lucy Mulili where they had comprehensive discussions on HIV and TB treatment.
“The monies will be spent on the provision of HIV interventions for general and key populations including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) services and gender based violence,” said Koech.
“Also provision of high-quality targeted testing services (HTS) leading to the identification and linkages of HIV infected individuals,” she added.
Further, she disclosed that the funds will also be used for prevention and treatment services for pregnant and breast –feeding mothers and HIV exposed infants during the period under review.
Koech further said that the monies will also go towards providing quality patient-centered HIV care and treatment services for people living with HIV including management of commodities.
The programme aims at strengthening health systems to support the delivery of HIV and TB related services like laboratory systems, commodity management and monitoring and evaluation of systems.
Since last year, the organization has so far spent another Sh112 million through the county health management team to fund the same activities in the county.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mutula welcomed the funding saying it will go a long way in helping the people of Makueni County to overcome some of the challenges they face in the health sector.
Consequently, he called upon the health workers to work closely with CIHEB for the betterment of the people of Makueni who come to seek services at the health facilities in the area.
“I call upon the health workers fraternity and CIHEB to work seamlessly and intermarry the systems for the benefit of the people of Makueni County,” observed the Mutula.
By Patrick Nyakundi
