The Ministry of Health has assured Kenyans that there are sufficient stocks of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs across all ART sites in the country.
In a statement issued through the National AIDS & STI Control Program (NASCOP) on Tuesday, March 25, the government urged recipients of care to continue taking their medication as prescribed.
"The Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS & STI Control Program, would like to assure all recipients of care that we have sufficient stocks of ARVs both for prevention and treatment at the ART sites.
"ARVs should therefore be taken daily without skipping doses or sharing," the statement read.
Additionally, NASCOP advised patients against making premature refills due to concerns about stock shortages.
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"Recipients of care are also advised not to refill ARVs before their due dates for fear of running out," the agency added.
The reassurance comes amid concerns over ARV shortages in the country.
The recent 90-day freeze on US foreign aid has significantly impacted the healthcare system, particularly affecting the availability of ARV drugs.
In response to this crisis, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa outlined several measures to mitigate the impact.
It included seeking an additional Ksh33.5 billion from the National Treasury to sustain critical health programs, including HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria prevention, vaccines, and family planning.
"To mitigate the impact of the funding withdrawal, the Ministry has requested an emergency allocation of Sh33.5 billion to bridge the gap and sustain critical health programs.
"This abrupt shift in financial support has disrupted essential services and ongoing initiatives, placing immense strain on our healthcare system, particularly in areas that heavily rely on official aid," she said while appearing before the Senate plenary.
Recently, a consignment of over 2 million HIV drug packs was dispatched to health facilities nationwide to alleviate shortages.
"This milestone demonstrates our steadfast commitment to protecting the health of individuals living with HIV despite international financial limitations," Barasa stated.
