Medical supplies. Photo/courtesy.
Kenya is facing a critical shortage of essential medical supplies, including HIV medications, testing kits and vaccines, endangering millions of lives in what health officials describe as an unprecedented crisis.
Public and private hospitals across the country have run out of Atazanavir, a vital HIV drug, as well as condoms, BCG vaccines for newborns, and the majority of HIV-testing equipment, following stock depletion during the Christmas season.
“We currently have 1.378 million people living with HIV in Kenya,” stated Ruth Laibon-Masha, CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Council. “Without uninterrupted access to these medications, we risk reversing years of progress in combating the epidemic.”
The shortage of HIV medicines comes at a critical juncture, as Kenya reported 16,752 new HIV infections in 2024 10,784 among women and 5,968 among men. Additionally, the country recorded 20,480 AIDS-related deaths last year, including 2,607 children. This leaves HIV-negative Kenyans, particularly discordant couples, at heightened risk of contracting the virus.
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Currently, 97 percent of individuals living with HIV in the government database are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 94 percent are virally suppressed. A disruption in drug availability threatens to severely undermine these achievements.
The country has completely depleted its stock of Trinscreen, One-Step and First Response HIV test kits, relying solely on Standard Q test kits, which are also nearing exhaustion.
The crisis extends beyond HIV-related supplies. Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai confirmed that BCG vaccines, essential for protecting newborns against tuberculosis, are out of stock nationwide. Although 2.6 million doses are expected by the end of this month, many infants born in the past six months remain unvaccinated.
“There has been a global challenge in contracting for the procurement of traditional vaccines, including BCG, but this issue has now been resolved. We expect the BCG vaccines to arrive anytime from the third week of January 2025. In the meantime, we urge caregivers to ensure infants receive other available vaccines as we await the resumption of BCG supply,” Kimtai stated.
In response to the shortage of HIV drugs, the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines to healthcare facilities to ensure the optimal use of available supplies.
“We are directing the immediate transition of eligible patients to alternative appropriate regimens,” stated Director-General Patrick Amoth.
The circular explained that a committee comprising experts from NASCOP, KEMSA, county governments, HIV implementing partners, universities and community representatives reviewed current HIV research data and the commodity situation to formulate guidance for adults and adolescents on ATVr 300/100mg.
“Effective immediately, phase 3 optimization will focus on transitioning adults living with HIV on second-line ATVr-based regimens to dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens,” the circular, signed by Amoth detailed.
The government has assured that relief is on the way, with various medical supplies expected to arrive by February. However, for thousands of patients relying on daily medication and new mothers seeking vaccines for their infants, these promises provide little immediate solace.
