An estimated 119 infants born in Kenya in the last one week could have been infected by HIV due to ongoing nurses strike, paedtric experts have warned ahead of tomorrow’s launch of the ‘elimination of Mother To Child Transmission’ (eMTCT) of HIV and syphilis framework.
During a media round-table today hosted by the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (Nascop), the experts warned that the numbers could rise considerably if no decisive measures are taken to avert the ongoing crisis at public health facilities.
They said the strike may have unintended consequences to vulnerable children which could lead to a rise in MTCT of HIV.
It is estimated that 17 children are infected every day and the situation is worsened by the continued absence of nurses from public health facilities.
