The Council of Governors have resolved to convene talks with the Ministries of Treasury, Health and the AIDS control agency to discuss prevailing Antiretroviral (ARV) shortages.
In a statement today, the health Committee chairman Anyang’ Nyongo said the meeting resolved that ARVs have to be availed to the people urgently since there are counties with no HIV commodities.
The council will convene an urgent intergovernmental meeting on April 12 between the National Treasury, Ministry of Health, Nascop and other relevant stakeholders for long-term measures.
“The meeting has requested Nascop to provide guidelines directing the inclusion of NEVIRAPINE into the Pediatric regimen,” Nyong’o said.
In a statement issued today, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the current interruption in supply of the antiretroviral drugs is regrettable, adding that it was not anticipated.
“The Ministry of Health is cognizant of the regrettable interruption of the multi -month scripting and dispensation of ARVs for the management of HIV. The disruption has been occasioned by failure to receive a consignment of ARV donations that was expected to arrive by the end of October 2020… The current scenario was not anticipated, and the Government only got to know about the likelihood of delayed supply late in January,” reads the statement.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Health has sought approvals and cleared the drugs.
Further, USAID is expected to hand over the same for distribution through the established systems.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health says it has received some drugs from other pipeline sources and is currently restocking facilities around the country to ensure continuity of supply to patients.
“While this process is ongoing, patients will receive enough drugs for short periods at a time till regular supply is restored. Further, and in line with the Big 4 agenda as well as the journey towards self-reliance to achieve universal coverage of health, the Ministry is considering options for a sustainable financing of HIV interventions,” added CS Kagwe.
