During the launch event, Governor Malombe reiterated his commitment to the transition, highlighting the initial absorption of the first-ever to be transitioned eight Health Care Providers in the current financial year and a gradual absorption of the remaining in the next five years to ensure continuity of HIV services.
The HIV Transition Roadmap aligns with the Government of Kenya’s broader strategy to shift from over-reliance on external funding to domestic financing for healthcare by 2030. The plan focuses on six key health system building blocks: enhancing leadership and governance, integrating HIV services with other health programs, building fiscal/budgetary capacity, ensuring continuous service delivery, strengthening health information systems, and improving access to essential health products and infrastructure.
To oversee this transition, a tripartite County Transition Committee (CTT) has been established. This committee includes representatives from the Kitui County Government, US-CDC Kenya, and implementing partners such as CIHEB-Kenya, CHAK, and LVCT. The CTT has conducted a baseline assessment to identify key gaps and formulate the transition plan. The roadmap aims to foster sustainable, locally-led healthcare solutions, ensuring Kitui County achieves a self-reliant and effective HIV/TB response.
Speaking during the launch, the Ag Country Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Kenya, Dr. Jennifer Galbraith, commended the county’s dedication to the transition. She assured CDC’s support to ensure a responsible transition to the County Government of Kitui, acknowledging the county’s capacity to run the HIV program effectively. On her side, governor Malombe emphasized that the transition process will be gradual to maintain the quality and accessibility of HIV services. He highlighted the importance of integrating HIV services with other health programs to create a more resilient health system. “Kitui County HIV Transition Roadmap represents a significant milestone in the county’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in healthcare. The County is setting a precedent for other regions to follow. Kitui was among the first counties in Kenya to receive a grant through the G2G initiative.” Governor Malombe alludes.
With a strong leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment, Kitui County is well on its way to achieving a sustainable and effective HIV/TB response. CIHEB-Kenya’s PACT Imara program aims to enhance the health and well-being of residents in Kenya’s Lower Eastern region. By providing comprehensive HIV and TB prevention and treatment services to general, key, and priority vulnerable populations in Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties, the program supports antiretroviral therapy (ART) for approximately 60,362 people living with HIV across 191 health facilities.