USAID Fahari ya Jamii hosts the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy (S/GAC)

The University of Nairobi USAID Fahari ya Jamii project, in partnership with the Nairobi City County Government was honored to host Dr. John Nkengasong, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, at the Mathare North Health Centre on 24^th January 2022.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress and successes achieved over the past 20 years through the implementation of programs aimed at ending HIV in the county.

Mathare North Health Centre is among the 140 facilities in Nairobi County supported by USAID Fahari ya Jamii to provide TB/HIV services with funding from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID Kenya. 

Through the project, UoN is strengthening service delivery in health facilities like Mathare North Hospital by implementing integrated screening for HIV, TB, GBV and PrEP, providing HIV testing services (HTS), prevention and treatment services, retention support, supporting cervical cancer screening for WLHIV and supporting COVID-19 vaccination.

During the visit, Dr. Reson Marima, Chief of Party for USAID Fahari ya Jamii, informed Dr. Nkengasong that the project has deployed seventeen front-line staff to the hospital and supports 2226 PHLIV patients on treatment, with an overall viral suppression rate of 96%. She acknowledged that more than 80% of patients will be treated using a person-centered differentiated model that includes facility fast-track, community, or facility Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) groups, with a small number receiving individual ART distribution based on their unique needs.

The CECM health for Nairobi County, Dr. Anastacia Nyalita also pledged to recommit to the 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure 95% knowledge of HIV and access to treatment and viral suppression in the county, particularly among the pediatric population.

“We are currently in the final stages of development of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), and as a fast- track city, we have prioritized the HIV/TB response as we seek to achieve our vision of a city free from new HIV Infections,” she said.

“Thank you to those who work on the front lines in the fight against HIV at the Mathare North Health Center. You are the ones making the true #PEPFAR20 impact; volunteering as mentor mothers and HIV male champions, and helping your HIV-positive neighbors stay track with their ARVs,” Dr. Nkengasong said.

The USAID/PEPFAR partnership in Kenya has led to significant gains in controlling the HIV epidemic, resulting in fewer new infections and HIV-related deaths.