The Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have moved to address the shortage of Antiretroviral (ARVs) and Laboratory Reagents Kenya.
This follows the disruption of the supply chain that saw the country experience a shortage of the vital medication that more than a million people depend on for their survival.
The Ministry of Health Leadership and Representatives of People Living with HIV met in Nairobi to resolve the crisis and Laboratory Reagents Kenya has made significant progress in the HIV response.
According to the ministry of health, “Out of the estimated 1.5 million People Living with HIV, 1.2 million are currently on long-term lifesaving antiretroviral medication (ARVs).”
In a statement, the ministry further noted that there was “a temporary disruption in the commodity supply chain that affected the hitherto seamless distribution of ARVs and Early infant diagnosis reagents for people living with HIV."
The ministry has been keen however to reassure Kenyans that despite the reduced supply there is enough ARVs for all who need it.
“In this regard, we reassure the public that there are enough antiretroviral medications for all clients despite the reduced dispensation period to every client,” read part of the statement.
The country is also facing a disruption in the supply of laboratory reagents due to a global disruption in the supply chain. The Ministry of Health has been closely monitoring the global supply chain of all HIV supplies to ensure there are no shortage, while exploring alternative viral load and early infant testing platforms.
A majority of eligible people living with HIV have been receiving less than the 3-months’ supply of medications that they were initially receiving.
Some of the resolutions included; Government expediting the commodities procurement processes to have the commodities in the country in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Government through the ministry has also committed to explore local manufacturing for sustainable supply in future.
At the same time, ministry official further committed to continue to work persons living with HIV as well as with other stakeholders to address gaps and challenges in the HIV response including the issues affecting the commodities supply chain.
People living with HIV have been experiencing ARV rationing since February 2021 despite being among those at high risk of losing the battle after contracting opportunistic infections.
