Government to ensure stable supply of HIV drugs, test kits by January

The Government plans to ensure stable supply of antiretroviral medication and test kits by January.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said the country is facing temporary global disruption in the ARVs supply chain prompting those living with HIV to receive less than the 3-months’ supply of medications that they were initially receiving.

“The country is also facing disruption in the supply of Laboratory reagents due to a global disruption in the supply chain. The Ministry of Health has been closely monitoring the global supply chain of all HIV commodities to ensure there are no stock-outs while exploring alternative Viral load and Early infant testing platforms” he said.

However, he has assured people living with HIV of the government’s plan to make the ARVs available.

In a meeting with representatives of people living with HIV, Kagwe said the Ministry of Health is also making every effort to ensure there is stable supply of all HIV commodities in the country by end of January 2022.

“We reassure the public that there are enough antiretroviral medications for all clients despite the reduced dispensation period to every client,” he said.

“The Ministry of Health appreciates the long-standing partnership with the networks of people living with HIV and will continue to work with them and all other stakeholders to address gaps and challenges in the HIV response including the issues affecting the commodities supply chain. In this regard, we reassure the public that there are enough antiretroviral medications for all clients despite the reduced dispensation period to every client.”

Kagwe said the Ministry of Health will continue stakeholder engagement to address challenges in HIV response.

This comes amid reports that there is a shortage and a stock-out for regular tests for adults and kids.