•County Officials and Donors Seek Solutions to Sustain HIV, TB, and Maternal Health Programs
Nakuru County is taking urgent steps to protect critical healthcare services and ensure uninterrupted care for patients benefiting from donor-supported programs, particularly those focused on HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and maternal health.
This comes in response to the U.S. government’s decision to freeze USAID funding for health initiatives, a move that has raised concerns over the future of life-saving programs.
While a temporary waiver has allowed essential HIV services under the USAID-funded Tujenge Jamii (UTJ) program to continue, uncertainty looms over long-term support for thousands of residents who depend on these interventions.
USAID’s Role in Strengthening Nakuru’s Healthcare
For years, USAID has played a pivotal role in supporting Nakuru’s health sector, funding programs that provide HIV/AIDS treatment, TB screening, and maternal healthcare.
The county, which serves a population of over 2.35 million, has also been a referral hub for patients from neighboring regions.
The sudden funding freeze has prompted urgent consultations between county officials and donor representatives to strategize on sustaining these vital services.
Following an emergency meeting between the county government and UTJ program leaders, health officials assured residents that HIV-related services would remain operational despite the funding challenges.
Dr. Moses Kitheka, Chief of Party at UTJ, confirmed that efforts are underway to prevent service disruptions.
“The waiver ensures that HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services remain available. However, we are actively engaging stakeholders to find long-term solutions that will safeguard these programs,” Dr. Kitheka stated.
Health Officials Work to Sustain Critical Services
In response to the crisis, Nakuru’s health officials are prioritizing the continuity of key interventions, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The focus remains on sustaining HIV prevention efforts, TB screening, and maternal health programs to avoid setbacks in the county’s public health progress.
Dr. Angelina Kahiga, UTJ Deputy Chief of Party, outlined the specific services that remain operational under the waiver.
“We are ensuring that HIV testing continues in both community and facility settings. Screening for TB patients and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services will also remain available,” she affirmed.
She also emphasized the importance of maternal health programs, highlighting that services such as antenatal care (ANC) testing, partner testing, early infant diagnosis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women will continue.
“Our focus now is maintaining HIV prevention services, including partner testing, early infant diagnosis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women,” she added.
Impact of USAID Programs on Nakuru’s Healthcare
USAID-funded health programs have been instrumental in Nakuru County. Currently:
- 41,992 individuals receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) across 110 health facilities.
- 130,387 people have accessed HIV testing services, including key populations at high risk.
- 43,391 pregnant women have benefited from the PMTCT program, ensuring critical maternal and child health interventions.
The potential loss of funding could disrupt these services, putting thousands at risk of deteriorating health outcomes.
County Government’s Commitment to Healthcare Continuity
Nakuru’s Department of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining essential healthcare services despite the funding uncertainty.
County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health, Roselyn Mungai, emphasized that the county is working to integrate affected services into existing healthcare structures while seeking alternative funding sources.
“We are prioritizing resource mobilization and optimizing the funding we have to sustain essential services. Nakuru has built a strong healthcare system, and we remain committed to ensuring that patients continue receiving the care they need,” Ms. Mungai stated.
Future of Healthcare in Nakuru Amid Funding Gaps
As discussions continue at both national and international levels, Nakuru County is focusing on strengthening local healthcare capacity to mitigate the impact of potential funding shortfalls.
The county government is exploring ways to sustain HIV, TB, and maternal health programs while awaiting further guidance from the U.S. government.
Despite the challenges ahead, Nakuru County remains determined to preserve the progress made in public health.
Through strategic planning, collaboration with stakeholders, and proactive resource mobilization, officials are working to minimize disruptions and keep essential healthcare services running.
While uncertainty persists, one thing is clear: Nakuru’s commitment to safeguarding public health remains unwavering.
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