Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has disclosed that Embu County is set to open a syndemic centre at the Embu Level 5 Hospital that will set pace to manage syndemic diseases in the county.
In a speech read on her behalf by the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Youth, Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services Jane Waroga during celebrations to mark World Aids Day at Embu University, Ms. Mbarire said that Embu will be the first county to launch a syndemic centre in the country.
She noted that the syndemic centre will set pace in managing diseases like HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis which occasionally occur together.
The governor added that her Administration intends to have a county free of HIV infections and stigma.
Mbarire said that HIV prevalence in Embu County has reduced from 9.1 per cent in 2019 to 4.3 per cent in 2021 according to National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) formerly known as National Aids Control Council (NACC).
She further added that 11,000 adults and 5,000 children in Embu are infected with HIV.
“In Embu County, 11,000 adults and 5,000 children are infected with HIV and we have managed to put 10,700 on ARVS through universal coverage,” the governor revealed.
The Governor said that annual HIV related deaths in the county have continued to decline.
Director of Public Health Roselyn Kaugi urged parents to ensure that their daughters are in schools in order to curb teenage pregnancy adding that teenage pregnancy is a threat to the education of the girl child.
She also called on women to always raise an alarm whenever they encounter gender-based violence.
By Justus Anzaya
