Call to shield infants from HIV, syphilis
PSCU
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for a renewed commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV and syphilis in the country.
She said there is need for concerted efforts to accelerate the progress made towards achieving eMTCT through promotion of stronger partnerships.
“I am convinced, that our successes rely on harmonised efforts from both the public and private sectors.
I believe that our targets are achievable because of the solid partnerships we have built with you,” she said.
The First Lady spoke yesterday when she virtually addressed a partnerships meeting on accelerating the progress towards achieving validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2021.
Available records show that Kenya has made progress on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and curbing maternal mortality with new HIV infections reducing by 47 per cent from 12,826 in 2013 to 6,806 in 2020.
Preventable deaths
Mrs Kenyatta in 2017 during a Beyond Zero Summit launched the Kenya Framework for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis 2016-2021 that contributed to the achievement.
She commended the innovative implementation of the Kenya eMTCT Framework adopted by counties through the county business plan model.
“So far, we have successfully launched 11 county business plans. It is my hope that we, as partners, will commit to resourcing and supporting the remaining county governments on their respective journeys,” the First Lady said.
The county business plans provide for the sustainable and timely implementation of activities for counties to meet their unique eMTCT circumstances.
As the national patron and champion of eMTCT, the First Lady said her overall mission is to end preventable deaths of women and children as well as to eliminate new cases of HIV infections from mothers to their children.
She applauded the existing partnership between her Beyond Zero initiative and other health stakeholders including the national and county governments for working together in promotion of maternal and child health.
