Counties to integrate HIV prevention in Health Services amid rising youth infection rates

News / Fri, 06/27/2025 - 18:47

Judy Sheri -PCO

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has called on county governments to urgently integrate HIV prevention programs into their health care services.

He said the action is critical to mitigate the rising HIV infection rate among young people.

“We have prevention issues that we want the counties to now start integrating into their healthcare services,” Dr. Oluga said.

He was speaking 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.

The Principal Secretary expressed concern over the alarming HIV infection rate among youth aged 15 to 24, stating, “That is really the challenge we are having now. Around almost 6,000 new HIV infections between 15 and 24 years, and that’s quite alarming for the country.”

Dr. Oluga highlighted the Ministry of Health’s well-coordinated mechanism for HIV prevention at the county level, involving surveillance officers and community health promoters.

“We are looking at how to consolidate our efforts and mechanisms to ensure sustainability and resilience moving forward,” he said.

He attributed the high infection rates among teenagers to inadequate education and weak enforcement of health policies.

“The main problem in that age group is really the lack of education, but also enforcement,” Dr. Oluga explained.

During the workshop, Dr. Oluga also noted a shift in the health sector’s funding mechanisms this year, which has necessitated a reorganization of syndemic disease financing.

“We are here to look at the progress and what the counties have done, but more importantly, discuss how we will move forward with our response to HIV, TB, and malaria,” he said.

Participants further explored approaches to strengthening the healthcare system and implementing universal health coverage (UHC) to improve disease control and health outcomes.