How hospitals are forcing patients to pay, collect ARVs

A health official displays ARVs. [File, Standard]

People living with HIV have raised concerns over charges that some faith-based hospitals refuse to dispense Antiretroviral (ARVs) in faith-based hospitals.

The hospitals are allegedly charging between Sh500 and Sh1,500 to collect the life-saving drugs.

Through their umbrella body, National Empowerment Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS In Kenya (NEPHAK), patients insist the drugs should be provided free of charge because they are donor-supplied.

NEPHAK executive director Nelson Otwoma said it is unfair to charge patients, yet the ARVS are supplied to the country at no cost.

“We need free HIV services. ARVs are donated through support from the US Government and the Global Fund, so why charge us?” said Otwoma.

Otwoma said the government has a responsibility to guarantee free HIV treatment to people living with HIV.

NEPHAK decried that putting charges to collect the drugs could force some patients to default on treatment.

Otwoma said some patients go to faith-based facilities because public hospitals are overcrowded and some fear HIV related stigma.

Currently, HIV services are integrated into general outpatient clinics following funding cuts, after a stop-work order that led to the closure of the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC).

Previously, people living with HIV received treatment at CCC, which was an HIV clinic.

Today, people living with HIV queue alongside other patients in general clinics, a move some say has heightened fears of stigma.

“If young people go to hospitals, and they are forced to pay even Sh500, they will just walk away and not take medicine,” he said.

The issue is reported at a time when the country is recording new HIV infections among adolescents and young people.

Data by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) shows that of the 13,936 new infections documented in 2026, 41 per cent (4,321) were individuals aged 15 and 24 years.

HIV related also stood at 13 per 1,000, with men recording noticeably higher fatality rates of 18 per 1,000.

Failure to adhere to treatment according to Otwoma is likely to trigger more AIDs related deaths.

AIDS is something we have worked on for many years. We have reduced the deaths, but even with this, if we have individuals not accessing treatment, they shall die,” said the NEPHAK official.

“We have raised concern about prize tag put on ARVs, and we hope this is addressed,” added Otwoma.

In a meeting coordinated by the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) on Monday, NASCOP asked individuals to report particular hospitals charging patients.

Meanwhile, the country is grappling with shortages of key HIV commodities, including long-acting HIV prevention injection (Lenacapavir), viral load testing reagent, and Tenofovir Alafenamide Lamivudine (TAFLD), an ARV given to individuals above the age of 60 years.

Stock out of Lenacapavir is reported despite its high demand.

“Demand for Lenacapavir has been high. But we do not have stock,” a health official in Homa Bay who requested anonymity told The Standard.

“We are currently stocked out of Lenacapavir PrEP,” added another source in Kajiado.

An official at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP), who requested to remain anonymous, admitted to the shortage.

“People are asking for injectable PrEP, but we are yet to receive additional supply,” said the official.

Lenacapavir is an additional prevention option alongside existing methods, namely Cabotegravir and Oral PrEP.

The national roll-out was held at Rituta Health Centre in Nairobi on February 26, 2026, and later launched across respective counties, as the country gears up efforts to end new HIV infections by 2030.

Lenacapavir was rolled out alongside cabotegravir, a two-month injectable.

Kenya received at least 18, 000 doses of cabotegravir, with 22, 000 doses of lenacapavir.

Lenacapavir was officially launched in the country on February 26, 2026.

At least 15 counties benefited from the first batch, namely Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisii, Kajiado, Busia, Machakos, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Nakuru and Kisii.

Since the launch of the jab, its uptake across the country has been on a steady trajectory.

With the shortage of viral testing reagents, pregnant breastfeeding mothers will be given priority in testing for HIV viral load.

Children and adolescents living with HIV and recipients of care with clinical indications of suspected treatment failure will also be prioritised.

Additionally, individuals testing at the third month for all newly started ARVs shall also be tested.

The priority is to guarantee optimal utilisation of the available reagents, according to NASCOP.

In a letter addressed to counties, the programme said the interruption is affecting routine viral load testing services.

Further, NASCOP recommends deferring routine viral load monitoring for established recipients of care.

“The current stock levels at both central stores and molecular testing laboratories are inadequate to support routine testing as recommended in the guideline,” reads a section of the letter written by the head of NASCOP, Dr Andrew Mulwa.

Head of NASCOP Dr Andrew Mulwa attributed the shortage of Lenacapavir, Tenofovir Alafenamide Lamivudine (TAFLD) and viral load supplies to the transition and shipment blockage following the war in Iran.

The official, however, assured that supplies by August.