Ciheb Kenya was honored to host Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy, in one of our key population clinics, SWOP City Clinic, on January 25, 2023—the site visit aimed to understand the health services provided for this population in the facility.
He was accompanied by representatives from the PEPFAR Kenya office led by Lindsay Little, PEPFAR Kenya Deputy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Kenya) led by Dr. Jennifer Galbriath, Nairobi City County led by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Health, Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, CIHEB-Kenya team led by the CEO, Dr. Emily Koech and the Program Director, Dr. Rebecca Wangusi, Dr. Joshua Kimani, Clinical Director at the Partnership for Health Development in Africa (PHDA) the organization subgranted to manage the program and Key Populations community representatives.
The Ambassador walked through the clinic, observing the services provided, including condoms information, demonstration on use and provision, HIV testing services, STI screening and treatment, risk reduction counseling services, comprehensive HIV care including antiretroviral therapy, family planning counseling and service provision, screening and treatment for tuberculosis, HIV pre and post-exposure prophylaxis, mental health support and referral as appropriate, cervical cancer screening and treatment and gender-based violence services.
Dr. Nkengasong appreciated the Key Population community for taking leadership in their spheres of influence despite the healthcare delivery challenges. This was further captured in his comments , “On my visit to SWOP City Clinic in Kenya, the courage and resilience I saw among people who shared their stories of hardship and hope with me is a testament to why we need to work harder to end stigma and discrimination faced by key populations living with and at risk for HIV.”
Ciheb Kenya, the prime recipient of the grant from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has partnered with Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) to provide HIV prevention and treatment services for key populations. The clinic boasts of easy accessibility to members of the KP as it is adjacent to key hotspots in Nairobi’s city center and currently serves 4263 Female Sex Workers, 931 Men who have Sex with Men, and 722 Transgender active participants.