The government is determined to ensure that supply of ARVs to HIV patient is uninterrupted despite foreign aid freeze to humanitarian programmes by the United States of America, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mlongo Barasa, gave the assurance during a tour of Mosoriot’s Kenya Medical Training College in Nandi County, to celebrate World Oral Health Day on Friday.

Dr Barasa said the government will not allow HIV patients to suffer drug supply shortages and assured the country that all centres issuing ARVs will receive the drugs as required.

The CS made the remarks during the national celebration of World Oral Health Day at Mosoriot Kenya Medical Training College in Chesumei Constituency in Nandi County.

The assurance was a response to concerns triggered by US government’s recent suspension of funding to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which for long had been financing supply of ARVs in Africa and other developing countries.

The decision by the Trump administration to suspend funding of most of the USAID humanitarian activities worldwide sent shockwaves among Kenyans who are on ARVs regimen, as the risk of an upsurge incidence and mortalities looked real.

Kenya, with 1.4 million people living with HIV, has made significant strides in expanding access to treatment and services. However, the country faces challenges such as high levels of HIV-related stigma, especially in rural areas, and issues related to adherence to treatment regimens. HIV also disproportionately affects certain groups, including women, youth, and men who have sex with men, according to World Health Organization 2023 report.

“As a government we are committed to make sure no patient on ARVs suffers supply interruptions and nobody should panic,” she promised.

Barasa used the occasion to ask Nandi residents to check their oral health status as it has become a major health problem in Kenya.

“Many ailments that we suffer have a direct link to our oral health and we need to visit physicians to understand ourselves,” she advised.

She said introduction of Community Oral Health course at Mosoriot KMTC and other government-funded medical colleges will ensure that the country has enough oral health specialists to handle dental health challenges.

The CS applauded community health promoters as a key component in promotion of oral health in the community. She asked the community health promoters present at the function to use all available opportunities to propagate information on the importance of observing oral health and also highlighting government health agenda, including Social Health Authority (SHA).

The minister also asked residents to use the newly created Dental Centre at Mosoriot KMTC Campus to monitor regularly their oral health status. Those who are registered with SHA, she said, will have an opportunity to use it while seeking dental services at Mosoriot KMTC Campus,” she said.

Barasa undertook to work with the County Government of Nandi to ensure residents get the needed health services.

Nandi Chief Executive Committee Member in charge of Health and Sanitation, Dr Angeline Chepchirchir, also addressed the oral health issue, saying it was key to the locals’ wellbeing and that Nandi County would ensure all programmes on oral health are given priority.

Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili emphasised the importance of sound oral health as it determines one’s self-esteem.

The function was also attended by among others, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni and Nandi Deputy Governor, Dr Yulita Mitei.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Geoffrey Satia