Kenya Red cross partners with CONPHAK to reduce HIV infections in Kwale
HIV Test/ Photo Courtesy
By Caroline Kahonzi
Community based organization “County Network of People Living With HIV” in Kwale CONPHAK is implementing a global fund project of reducing HIV infection in Kwale county through Kenya red cross.
Kwale county has an overall HIV prevalence of 3.2 percent, 2022 estimates.
Mercelina Mkalla project officer says the project seeks to ensure a society free from HIV, TB and drug abuse.
Speaking at Kwale Golden hotel at sensitisation meeting that brought different key stakeholders from security department ,health ,judiciary, media, religious leaders ,probation ,teenswatch ,hapa kenya among others ,She says the main mandate Is to empower people living with HIV in the community to enhance primary health care and social economic development in kwale county “Adherence to art is key to life “.
On his side Edward Mumbo, health officer in Kwale admitted that youth are at a risk of contracting HIV.
“A study that was conducted in Kenya shows that hiv cases have reduced but a big percentage of teenagers and adolescents have new infections due to unprotected sexual intercourse ,”Said Mr.Mumbo.
The health officers are now calling the community and different stakeholders in Kwale to start dialogues and come up with appropriate measures of curbing HIV infections in Kwale county.
“We should join hands and amplify our voices against HIV infections, let us not focus on early pregnancies, we should come out loudly on HIV and cancer infections because the cause of it is early sexual intercourse, being silent worsens the condition in our societies, “Emphasized Mr.Mumbo.
Security department led by Kwale county assistant commissioner Omoit Timothy urged youth to be more careful with their lives for their better tomorrow.
” Many girls who practice intercourse prefer taking pills to prevent pregnancies nobody cares about contracting sexual transmitted diseases, this is very dangerous ,we want a county that is healthy for us to succeed development projects and boost our economy, this is will only be achieved if every person will be responsible of his or her life so let us play safe ,”Urged Mr.Omoit .
Mr.Omoit added that the security department has partnered with different stakeholders and come up with activities engaging teenagers and adolescents to ensure that they have safe spaces.
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