Africa
KENYA has announced that it has signed six grants totaling 59.7 billion shillings (about 462 million U.S. dollars) to support programmes targeting HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
In a statement issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the Ministry of Health said that the three-year grants from the Global Fund, an international financing and partnership organisation, will also be used to strengthen health and community systems from July 2024 to June 2027.
“The total amount for each component includes 232.5 million dollars for HIV, 72.9 million dollars for malaria, 67.7 million dollars for tuberculosis, and 34.6 million dollars for health systems strengthening,” the ministry said.
The Global Fund is a worldwide movement to defeat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
In Kenya, the fund has supported the provision of HIV test kits and antiretroviral drugs to about 1.4 million people.
According to the Ministry of Health, this has led to a significant decline in new HIV infections by 78 per cent, HIV-related deaths by 68 per cent and mother-to-child transmissions by 65 per cent.
“Regarding the tuberculosis program, we have recorded a treatment success rate of 86 per cent.
The ministry had reported that the positivity rate among tuberculosis cases declined from 7.35 per cent in 2021 to 5.6 per cent in 2024.
The ministry added that the malaria programme contributed to an overall reduction in the disease burden, with the national prevalence level declining from 8.2 per cent in 2025 to 6 per cent in 2023.
It aims to reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 75 per cent by 2027.
The new grants will enhance the provision of quality care and prevention services for people with tuberculosis, leprosy, and lung diseases.
It has also contributed to achieving Universal Health Coverage through comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment and care.
According to the Global Fund, it invested more than 5 billion dollars annually to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, ensuring a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all. (Xinhua/NAN)
F.A
June 25, 2024
