‘Students hit by HIV/Aids need care’

By ROBERT NYASATO

Kisii,Kenya; Official reveals many students in Kenyan schools affected by pandemic

The National Aids Control Council has called on school heads to be sensitive to plight of students affected by the HIV/Aids scourge.

NACC Chairperson Mary Getui said many students in Kenyan schools had been orphaned by the scourge, with others taking care of their sick parents.

Speaking at Magena High School in Kisii County during a student leaders’ conference, Getui said many students were heading families hence the need for school heads to understand this group.

Taboo topic

“In our schools today, we have adolescents who have been born by HIV positive parents and therefore need care,”  said Getui

The council is aware of this and we have a programme to address this issue by teaching our students to abstain from sex. HIV/Aids still remains a taboo topic and many students hardly open up,” she said.

She asked students to desist from teenage sex as they risked contracting the disease or becoming parents at young age.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Kisii County branch Chairman Jairus Onchoke conceded that a number of schools were hosting students affected or infected by HIV/Aids.

“The affected students and the sick need time away from school and of course they can’t afford basic items due to financial challenges. We don’t have a policy to guide us on this issue and sometimes the sick may not access drugs because they can’t open up,” said Onchoke.