Nakuru County government has assured its residents that all primary health care programmes will continue uninterrupted despite disruptions in funding.
The County is working to safeguard critical health services and ensure that patients on various support programmes such as HIV, TB and maternal health continue as scheduled. This follows the U.S. government’s decision to freeze USAID funding for donor-supported programs.
While a limited waiver has allowed the continuation of essential HIV services under the USAID-funded Tujenge Jamii (UTJ) program, uncertainty remains over long-term support for healthcare initiatives that have benefited thousands of residents.
For years, USAID has been a key partner in strengthening Nakuru’s health sector, funding programs that support HIV/AIDS treatment, tuberculosis (TB) screening and maternal health services. Nakuru County currently serves a population of over 2.35 million residents, with many health facilities also receiving referrals from neighboring regions.
The funding freeze has raised concerns about the future of these services, prompting urgent consultations between county officials and donor representatives.
Following an emergency meeting between the county government and UTJ program leaders, health officials confirmed that HIV services will continue despite the funding setback.
Dr. Moses Kitheka, Chief of Party at UTJ, assured that while the waiver is temporary, efforts are underway to prevent disruptions to care.
“The waiver ensures that HIV testing, prevention and treatment services remain available. However, we are actively engaging stakeholders to find long-term solutions that will safeguard these programs,” Dr. Kitheka stated.
In addition to ensuring service continuity, health officials are focusing on maintaining essential interventions for key populations.
With Nakuru’s healthcare system serving a large number of residents, the emphasis remains on sustaining HIV prevention, TB screening and maternal health programs. Officials stress that despite the uncertainty, the goal is to ensure that no patient is left behind.
Dr. Angelina Kahiga, UTJ Deputy Chief of Party, outlined the specific services that remain operational under the waiver, highlighting the focus on continuity for key HIV interventions.
“We are ensuring that HIV testing continues in both community and facility settings. Screening for TB patients and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services will also remain available,” Dr. Kahiga said.
She further emphasized the importance of maternal health programs, noting that services such as antenatal care (ANC) testing, partner testing, early infant diagnosis and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women will continue.
“Our focus now is maintaining HIV prevention services, including partner testing, early infant diagnosis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women,” she added.
USAID-funded health programs have been instrumental in Nakuru, with over 41,992 people currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) across 110 health facilities. HIV testing services have reached more than 130,387 individuals, including key populations at higher risk of infection.
The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program has also supported over 43,391 pregnant women, ensuring critical maternal and child health interventions.
Despite the challenges posed by the funding freeze, Nakuru County’s Department of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring continuity of care.
County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health, Roselyn Mungai, stated that the county is working to integrate affected services into existing structures while engaging stakeholders for additional support.
“We are prioritizing resource mobilization and optimizing the funding we have to sustain essential services. Nakuru has built a strong healthcare system and we remain committed to ensuring that patients continue receiving the care they need,” Ms Mungai said.
As discussions continue at the national and international levels, health officials in Nakuru remain focused on strengthening local capacity to mitigate the impact of potential funding gaps. The county government is exploring ways to sustain HIV, TB and maternal health programs while waiting for further guidance from the U.S. government.
While the road ahead remains uncertain, Nakuru County is determined to uphold the progress made in public health. Officials have emphasized that through collaboration and strategic planning, the county will work to minimize disruptions and keep essential healthcare services running.
By Jane Ngugi and Patience Moraa
