NAIROBI, Kenya, 1 July 2013—In a joint visit to Kenya, the leaders of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signaled strong partnership to defeat infectious diseases including HIV and tuberculosis (TB).
Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, met with leaders in Kenya’s new government, as well as civil society organizations and other partners.
At a signing ceremony in Nairobi, two new grant agreements demonstrated a commitment to work together with partners. The grants, worth US$ 27 million, will support programmes implemented jointly by the Ministry of Finance of Kenya and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) which that has been working with African communities for more than 50 years.
“In Kenya, and in other countries, the most effective prevention often comes by reaching those most vulnerable to infection,” said Dr. Dybul. “We can be most effective when all partners are moving in the same direction.”
The new grants will support programmes that improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of TB, reduce diagnostic delays in vulnerable populations and provide nutritional support to TB patients. The grants will also cover TB/HIV co-infected patients and particularly vulnerable populations including prisoners, people living in informal settlements and mobile populations.
“Kenya can have a profound effect on the AIDS response if it continues to lead in a people-centred approach to health,” said Mr. Sidibe. “If all people in Kenya can access essential health services with dignity and without fear—then surely this country can tip the balance of the epidemic in Africa.”
The UNAIDS Country office has spent US$ 420 000 on Global Fund-related work since 2010 with a focus on supporting the governance and oversight of the Kenya Coordinating Mechanism, as well as through technical support to develop future grants and unblock barriers in the flow of funds. UNAIDS’ support helped to ensure the successful agreement between the Government of Kenya and the Global Fund for the implementation of its Round 10 grants of US$ 483 million.
UNAIDS, the Global Fund and the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are working closely to support the Government of Kenya to eliminate new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive. Since 2009, Kenya has reduced new HIV infections among children by 44% but still reported 13 000 new infections among children in 2012.
Kenya is ranked 13th among the 22 high-burden TB countries in the world. Since 1990, the absolute number of reported TB cases increased ten-fold in Kenya––from below 50 per 100 000 people in 1990 to 329 per 100 000 people in 2008. The HIV epidemic is the most significant driver of the increase in the TB burden in Kenya. In 2008, HIV testing among TB patients increased to 83%, with 45% being dually infected.
