The Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, January 15, refuted claims that the country was experiencing an Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs shortage.
Through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer Waqo Erjesa, the government confirmed that there were enough ARV drugs available and informed those affected of a change in regimen that might have confused a few.
“I just want to clear the air that there is no stockout for ARVs in the country. We are stable courtesy of the Government of Kenya, the Global Fund, and the United States Government. With all these combined, we have enough ARVs,” he stated.
“The only thing that was misunderstood was changing the regimen of use. There was a change in the medicines that were being used. Specifically, Dolutegravir (DTG) was being used instead of Atazanavir and maybe they were not properly informed that we had switched to DTG. That transition is what may have confused a few people.”
A patient holding ARV tablets.
FILE
The clarification came a day after it was reported that the country was suffering a severe shortage of not only HIV management drugs but also condoms to prevent its transmission.
“We currently have 1.378 million people living with HIV in Kenya. Without consistent access to these medications, we risk undoing years of progress in fighting the epidemic,” Dr Ruth Laibon-Masha, the CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Council, said during the report.
With 16,752 new HIV infections recorded in just 2024, the report caused panic amongst both the affected and the infected.
Of far more concern, 20,480 AIDS-related deaths were also reported in the last year with 2,607 of them being children.
The drugs shortage report also reported that there was a shortage of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccines vital for newborns, something that the KEMSA boss confirmed in his Wednesday address.
He however noted that there were plans underway to receive 2.34 million doses by the end of the month.
“We are alive to the fact that we have faced a shortage with the BCG vaccine and we have placed an order and we are going to get 2.34 million doses of the vaccine by the end of this month,” he stated.
“What we have done in the meantime is been able to redistribute from the low utilisation facilities to the high volume facilities to be able to bridge that gap. However, we have also instructed the county level to be able to record those who have missed the vaccine such that that when the vaccine comes then we can be able to catch up on the vaccination.”
Image of ARV tablets
FILE