Over 620,000 people under HIV treatment

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Baringo County: Kenya is the second leading country in Africa after South Africa with the highest number of people living with HIV and Aids, and with a prevalence rate of 6.2 per cent.

Speaking during the National Aids and Control Council (NACC) county forum at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo, Health Principal Secretary Prof Fred Sergon said over 620,000 people in the country are currently under HIV treatment.

“The fight against HIV and Aids is on track though the country is rated second on the continent,” Sergon said.

He said mother-child transmission should not be happening at the moment and that the county and national governments should work together in a bid to eradicate the infection.

The PS called on locals to utilise the free maternity services implemented by the government, adding that that would go a long way in combating mother-to-child infections.

The national government, he said, will continue supporting the health sector at the county level as stipulated by the Constitution.

He urged the counties to emulate Murang’a County, which is the only county with zero mother-to-child HIV transmission cases through utilisation of health institutions by pregnant women.

The PS also challenged the county governors to ensure that funds allocated to the health sector are properly utilised to ensure that residents benefit from the health services.

Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi congratulated the national government on the 30 per cent funds allocation to the health sector, which amounts to Sh1.1 billion of the total county budget.