Adolescents living with HIV asked to take treatment

Youth use colour painting campaigns to sensitise adolescents on HIV/AIDS prevention during the 2023 World Aids Day. [Mercy Kahenda, Standard]

Adolescents and young adults have been urged to adhere to HIV/AIDS treatment to eliminate new infections and deaths.

This is as the country gears towards ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 and achieving Universal Health Coverage, for all Kenyans.

Data by the Ministry of Health shows that adolescents and young adults are the most at-risk population defaulting on treatment.

National AIDS, and STI Control Program (NASCOP) Dr Rose Wafula said defaulting on treatment among this demographic is resulting in advanced HIV, resulting in deaths.

As a mitigation, Wafula emphasised the need to involve young people in attaining U=U targets, through Operation Triple Zero (OTZ).

U=U means undetectable equals untransmittable, whereby a person living with HIV who suppresses viral loads cannot infect his HIV-negative partner.

Wafula spoke during the ongoing second national OTZ conference held in Nairobi.

The OTZ conference is aimed at sensitising people on zero missed appointments, zero missed drugs and zero viral loads among young people and adolescents.

Wafula said adolescents and young people understand the challenges they face in eliminating HIV/AIDS and therefore are better placed to be at the forefront in the management of elimination of the disease, by 2030.

Wafula reaffirmed NASCOP’s mandate to involve young people and key and vulnerable populations in policy formation, guidelines review and data in HIV management.

Centre for International Health Education and Bio-Safety (CIHEB) CEO Dr Emily Koech echoed Wafula’s sentiments on the involvement of key populations and having youth-led responses in ending HIV/AIDS infection.

Koech said there is a need to embrace new technologies and use social media to share messaging aimed at ensuring zero missed appointments in HIV management, zero missed drugs, and zero viral load among adolescents and young people.

“As we continue documenting our lives we need to embrace new technologies and social media as a response platform, let us be present because the work is a global image,” said Koech.

Amid rising cases of mental health in the Kenyan population, the representative said there is a need to consider mental wellness in eliminating HIV/AIDS.

Also present was the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) CEO Dr Ruth Masha who reviewed the journey of HIV/AIDS since it was reported in the country in the 1980s from infections to its treatment.

In early years, she said access to diagnosis and treatment was a big challenge for the country.

Speaking during the second National Operation Triple Zero Conference, Dr Masha acknowledged the HIV treatment journey that should be adhered to in eliminating the disease.

“I know we all have heard of older people. Most young people today were never there when those stories were told.

To the young people today, it is a long long journey, this is why OTZ is a celebration. We celebrate young people because of what we have been able to achieve,” said Masha.

She added, “We also celebrate the science of urine, can you think about drinking urine every day, the treatment makes us live longer and ensures the virus is not treated by other people”.

OTZ she said is not just a campaign but a program on the impact of people living with HIV/AIDS, maintaining health and keeping stigma at bay.

Stigma she said is fuelled in communities by communities.

According to Masha, messaging on U=U and HIV/AIDS management should be communicated simply, away from science for a better understanding of the public.

“U=U is the science, where people living with HIV are virally suppressed and will not transmit HIV,” Masha said.

Since the launch of the U=U campaign in 2020, there have been at least 58 per cent of viral load suppression, and individuals adhering to treatment.

She added that there is high disruption in treatment as a result of stigma.

Data by NSDCC shows that 113,000 people interrupted treatment in 2023.

“Last year, some of the newly infected people came from families with huge disruptions. It is a disease that has social and economic factors. Together as a country, we have shared examples globally” added Masha.

The CEO regretted that despite the availability of treatment, there are still gaps and interruptions reported among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Masha pleaded with healthcare providers and the community to find out why there was a disruption in treatment.

“We have to go back to know what exactly is happening. When someone misses treatment. We are also seeing AIDS-related deaths. We need to find out who these people are,” she observed.

Further, she encouraged registration to the new health scheme, for quality access to healthcare.

“We are looking for access to health for everyone and everywhere within their location. We are calling for a comprehensive package. We need to advocate for inclusion”

Also present was Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, who said there is a need to continue empowering adolescents to succeed while living with HIV through mentorship programs

Additional steps she said can be taken to reduce stigma around HIV testing and status disclosure.

Masha further added that there is a need to build on the community-led initiative to further improve HIV treatment adherence in other areas.