An NGO has started dialogue with local leaders to sustain county and national financing for HIV/Aids disease.
National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/Aids is now holding dialogue with the 47 county leaders and citizens to enable them strategise on how to put aside resources for the fight against the disease, according to the group’s executive director, Nelson Otuoma.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday during a forum with the local leaders, Otuoma said the national government has been responsible for prevention, treatment and care of HIV/Aids.
The director said that under the new constitution, health was devolved and each county will now be responsible for addressing the scourge.
“Our counties must be ready to allocate resources for HIV/Aids. It is time they strategise on how to fundraise for this cause,” he said.
Otuoma said counties should ensure they reach more people affected by the disease and increase their overall impact.
“Kisumu County is our fourth destination and we will visit all the 47 counties to spread this message,” he said.
He added that with a more strategic approach, counties should budget to provide support in planning how to control the epidemic and provide care and treatment to the people affected.
Otuoma said the dialogue will provide counties with a platform to bring partners together to best decide how to maximise impact and to look at how all available resources can serve a county’s health objectives.
“This is the best opportunity our counties have to rally support from donors and other partners to give money to fund treatment and care for people living with HIV/Aids,” he said.