Stakeholders debating during plenary Picture By: KELIN/Ted Wandera
The county dialogue forum in Nakuru County came to a close on the 16th of May, 2014 at Midland Hotel. It ended on a successful note, with Members of the County Assembly committing to prioritize purchase of CD4 count machines and viral load testers, which are necessary as a routine part of HIV clinical care recommended by all primary care guidelines. It had been brought to the forum’s attention that there was only one CD4 count machine available for use in the entire county, making it difficult to monitor the effectiveness of HIV treatment.
The forum was an initiative by KELIN in partnership with NEPHAK and Aids Fonds, bringing together representatives of PLHIV, health care workers and lawyers, members of the County Executive Committee, County Assembly, law enforcement officers, judicial officers and other stakeholders on issues relating to HIV, human rights and the law, that affect the county.
Some of the key issues that arose were difficulties in access to health care services for key populations, stigmatization of PLHIV, an overwhelming ratio of patients to health care workers, arbitrary arrests of sex workers and incarceration of TB patients.
The health committee, besides pledging to prioritize purchase of CD4 count machines and viral load testers, committed to apportion funds to public health awareness, which will be inclusive of HIV & TB. The county officials also challenged the stakeholders to engage in the county budget process.
KELIN committed to auditing and reviewing the draft county health bill to ensure incorporation of a rights based approach in the provisions of the bill. The stakeholders also committed to creating synergy towards a multi-sectoral approach to HIV response in the county.
