On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, CHS joined the CDC Kenya Country Director Amy Herman-Roloff, as she paid a courtesy call to the Siaya County CEC-Health and Health Management Team where they held discussions on collaborative efforts in the delivery and expansion of quality health services in the county.
The meeting also explored opportunities for strategic collaboration geared towards sustainable, efficient and effective health delivery in the county. The CEC, Dr Martin Odhiambo appreciated U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDCKenya and CHS for their continued support to the county through the Shinda Tena project that has strengthened HIV epidemic control in the country.
Dr Amy noted that a lot of progress has been made in the fight against HIV in Siaya County including improving viral suppression from the 50s to over 90% and appreciated the county government’s efforts in the management and efficient utilisation of USG health funds.
CHS CEO Dr Paul Wekesa reassured the team of CHS’s continued support to the county in improved health delivery. “CHS remains committed to service delivery to local communities while ensuring continued investments in health systems strengthening for sustainability. In Siaya County, in addition to health service delivery we have purchased HIV testing booths, electronic medical records coverage for all supported health facilities, and conducted several health facility renovations, he shared.”
Later in the afternoon, the team visited a CHS Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-Free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS Program) safe space in Akala to interact with the program beneficiaries. Safe spaces are a good avenue for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to interact, build their supportive social networks and learn about HIV, violence prevention, economic empowerment and many more. The team interacted with DREAMS beneficiaries and learned more about the various interventions and services provided at the safe space.
With support from PEPFAR through CDC Kenya, CHS through Shinda Tena Project is contributing to the ambitious 95-95-95 targets to help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The project supports the Siaya County Department of Health in the delivery and expansion of quality HIV services. Thousands of Adolescent girls and Young Women (AGYW) have benefitted from the DREAMS interventions (see below diagram)
