According to a new report released by Human Rights Watch, approximately two-thirds of HIV-positive children in Kenya lack access to antiretroviral drugs (ARV) despite a government program that provides these drugs cost-free. The report warns that unless something is done to increase provision, it is expected that 80% of these children will die within the next two years.
While the government of Kenya has ramped up efforts to treat adults with HIV, there appear to be barriers in translating these efforts to address the needs of children. One key problem, a lack of community health workers throughout the country, has prohibited local health facilities from being able to test and treat children at the necessary levels. In response, Kenya’s Ministry of Health Care and Medical Services plans to improve service delivery by decentralizing certain aspects of HIV/AIDS programs. This decentralization, combined with key partnerships with the World Health Organization and the Clinton Foundation, aims to increase children’s access to testing and treatment. In order to reach the estimated 60,000 children in need of treatment, the report emphasizes the need for more effective governmental distribution of drugs specifically for children, and training additional health care workers to improve clinic attendance and ensure adherence to treatment.
Read the report at:
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2008/12/16/question-life-or-death-0
