Counties Urged to Adopt Robust HIV Strategies
As the fight against HIV continues, the integration of prevention strategies into health services stands as a crucial step toward safeguarding the health of future generations.
In a compelling call to action, Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, has urged county governments to integrate comprehensive HIV prevention strategies into their healthcare frameworks. This initiative comes in response to alarming trends showing a rise in new HIV infections among young individuals.
Dr. Oluga has highlighted the urgent need for these preventive measures, stating, “We have issues of prevention that we want counties to now start integrating into their healthcare services.”
His comments reflect a growing concern over the nearly 6,000 new HIV infections reported among individuals aged 15 to 24—a statistic he described as “deeply troubling.”
To combat this surge, the Ministry of Health has implemented a coordinated prevention mechanism at the county level, enlisting the support of surveillance officers and community health promoters. “We are working to consolidate efforts and ensure our interventions are both sustainable and resilient going forward,” Dr. Oluga explained.
Addressing the root causes of these rising infection rates, he pointed to significant gaps in both education and enforcement as critical factors affecting the youth. “We need comprehensive strategies to protect our vulnerable age groups,” he emphasized.
Dr. Oluga made these remarks during the opening of the Joint Annual Program Review Workshop on the Syndemic Strategic Framework, organized by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) in Naivasha on June 17, 2025. The workshop aims to evaluate progress at the county level while shaping future responses to syndemic diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
With recent shifts in the health sector’s funding landscape, Dr. Oluga noted the necessity of reorganizing financial resources to effectively address these urgent health challenges.
“This workshop provides an opportunity to assess county-level progress, but more importantly, to shape how we move forward in responding to syndemic diseases and implementing Universal Health Coverage,” he concluded.
As the fight against HIV continues, the integration of prevention strategies into health services stands as a crucial step toward safeguarding the health of future generations.
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