Martin Sirengo, head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme, he announced on Tuesday that thousands of HIV negative Kenyans who are at a high risk of contracting the virus will for the first time this month be placed on ARV pills. Photo/the-star.co.ke
The ministry of health announced on Tuesday that thousands of HIV negative Kenyans who are at a high risk of contracting the virus will for the first time this month be placed on ARV pills
Pilot studies conducted in Kenya prove that if taken daily, the drugs can prevent HIV infection by more than 96 per cent, Kenya will be the second country after South after to roll out the plan.
Martin Sirengo, head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme, said trained health workers will assess who qualifies for the Preexposure prophylaxis (Prep) treatment.
“Prep is highly effective and will be given to those at risk of contracting HIV. This could include discordant couples where one partner is HIV positive and another is HIV negative; people who frequently contract STIs; individuals who are unable to negotiate condom use; people who frequently use Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and also drug users who share syringes,” Sirengo said.
The treatment will cost between Sh50, 000 to Sh80, 000 per person in a year, but it is expected that NGOs and other partners will subsidies it.
The pill will be taken every day as long as an individual is sexually active and HIV test done after every three months. It takes seven days for the pill to be effective.
“Prep is as good as it is taken. If taken daily during the period of risk, it is highly effective. We anticipate that Prep will avert many new infections in Kenya,” he said.