The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has begun the review of its strategic plan to step up efforts in the fight against HIV infections in Homa Bay County.
The Council’s Regional Coordinator, Stephen Oyugi said the review will input new methods targeting various population segments in the fight against HIV infection.
Oyugi spoke over the weekend when he officially launched the review exercise in Homa Bay town.
Also present during the ceremony was Homa Bay County Chief Officer for Public Health Evelyn Ododa and the County AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections coordinator Omondi Obunga.
Oyugi said the review was aimed at curbing new HIV infections and the management of AIDS in Homa Bay county.
Oyugi said each segment has unique factors that predispose it to risks of contracting HIV.
“We are reviewing our strategies for fighting HIV infections. This involves evaluating the existing methods applied on every target population. Our aim is come up with strategies that can work well for each population segment,” Oyugi said.
Ododa expressed hope that the review will enhance the management of AIDS besides reducing new HIV infections in the county.
“HIV is a serious problem in our society and reviewing these strategies will enable us to achieve the intended goals,” Ododa said.
She said they were integrating HIV support services with some Non non-governmental organizations that used to offer care to HIV patients before the American Government suspended USAID services.
These services include HIV testing, HIV prevention using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post- exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) drugs and the use of condoms. Those who are infected are enrolled for treatment through administration of anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) and anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
“We have integrated anti HIV services which USAID sponsored organizations used to offer. We are offering the services at our health facilities to enhance management of HIV and AIDS,” Ododa said.
Obunga said they were formulating messages tailored to enhance behaviour change among residents.
“We are focusing on giving our people information which can influence them to change their behaviour which promote HIV infection,” Obunga.
By Davis Langat
