AMPATHPlus Supports 165,000+ Patients
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USAID-supported AMPATHPlus program continues to provide care and treatment for people living with HIV in western Kenya. USAID recently announced some changes to the AMPATHPlus catchment area. AMPATHPlus continues to be the implementing partner in the following counties: Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Bungoma and Busia. AMPATHPlus currently supports 165,518 active patients with antiretroviral therapy across 504 clinics with an impressive suppression rate of 94 percent.
AMPATHPlus Bids farewell to Kakamega, Vihiga and Kisumu Counties
The counties of Kakamega, Kisumu, and Vihiga will now be served by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) through USAID funded Boresha Jamii project. During the handover, AMPATH Executive Director Care programs and AMPATHPlus Chief of Party Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo thanked the staff for the good work done while serving with AMPATHPlus. He said that AMPATH was continuing in Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu and Siaya in a different capacity through the USAID 4TheChild (OVC) Program and will be available to provide technical support to the transition process where necessary and possible.
Turkana receives Gene Xpert machines from AMPATHPlus
In early August, Turkana County received two additional Gene Xpert machines from USAID through AMPATHPlus to help in combating tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. The diagnostic equipment, valued at Ksh 5 million, were to be dispatched to the sub county hospitals in Turkana North and Turkana East to enhance their capacity to conduct diagnosis of TB, HIV and COVID-19. Speaking at the county headquarters, County Executive Committee Member (CEC) Jane Ajele appreciated the donation saying the two additional machines would support the Ministry of Health in reaching out to serve the residents in the far-flung areas of the county. “In total, we have eight Gene Xpert machines in Turkana now, two in Lodwar County Referral Hospital, two in IRC Kakuma, one each in Lopiding and Katilu. These new ones are going to the areas with no Gene Xpert machines and that is Turkana North and Turkana East,” said Ajele. Prof. Kimaiyo commended the Turkana County Governor’s efforts in enhancing the partnership with USAID AMPATHPlus for the past 18 months prior to the turnover to a new partner. Prof. Kimaiyo said the additional Gene Xpert machines were a perfect choice for viral load Count for pregnant and lactating mothers (PMTCT), early infant diagnosis (EID), tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19. “A Gene Xpert machine uses PCR technology to do the tests. It is not like microscopy. It uses RNA and DNA for testing. These units are 4-module which means they can carry out four tests simultaneously,” explained Professor Kimaiyo. Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok thanked the United States government for the donations through USAID AMPATHPlus adding that the equipment would help cut the cost residents undergo when travelling to have access to diagnostic services especially those in the areas with no Gene Xpert machines.
https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/turkana-receives-gene-xpert-machines/
Clinics ARV Boost
The long wait for antiretroviral (ARV) distribution ended in July when AMPATHPlus-supported ART Clinics in the program catchment counties of Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) received ARV’s directly through the Kenya supply chain organization, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS).
“We appreciate this timely support. Shortage of ARVs had caused much anxiety amongst patients, health care workers and county governments and we can now move forward with confidence by recouping progress made in care and treatment before the drugs ran out. We look forward to improved collaboration between USAID and county governments in meeting our programmatic goals and objectives,” said Professor Kimaiyo upon receiving the consignment of drugs.
A stable supply of the lifesaving medication, especially during this pandemic period, ensures that the people served at the AMPATHPlus facilities will get refills for longer periods and promote drug adherence even for those who are not able to travel to the clinics frequently.
AMPATH Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars
A series of Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars intended to improve skills, knowledge and implementation also occurred during the first half of the year. These CMEs ensure that AMPATH and its partners are on the cutting edge of best practices and innovation in the health sector.
Two CME seminars on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) were held earlier this year to improve the uptake of PrEP in AMPATHPlus counties. Following the seminars PrEP uptake grew from an average of 3,000-3,800 per month to more than 8,500 in May.
In July, 137 participants from 12 counties attended a CME virtually or in person at the AMPATH Centre that covered sexual gender-based violence and violence against children (SGBV/VAC) and the importance of including related questions into point of care (POC). Presenters from LACE discussed the Kenya Sexual Offences Act (SOA), defined key terms related to sexual violence, outlined the offences that warrant fines or imprisonment, and discussed the rights, duties and responsibilities outlined in the SOA. The POC team took the seminar attendees through the screening questions for SGBV/VAC in the AMPATH medical records system point of care interface.
Another July CME focused on measuring improvement in a quality improvement project. The session participants discussed measurements to determine whether change can be classified as an improvement or not. Strengthening of the Ministry of Health Busia County systems was highlighted during the interactive session which was presented at the AMPATH Centre and remotely to 131 total participants.
COVID-19 Testing
Additionally, the AMPATHPlus care lab has continued to support testing for COVID-19 across eight counties including Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Turkana. Testing capacity is periodically constrained due to a lack of reagents to complete the testing and currently most COVID-19 tests are being diverted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) which has a supply of reagents to be consumed before November. The care lab procured 3,000 transport media using leveraged funding to support the sampling process within MTRH as it has been a challenge getting supplies.
As of August 25, 232,052 people in Kenya have tested positive for COVID-19 and 4,600 have died. Vaccine availability is increasing and 1,794,369 people have received a vaccine dose with approximately 2.9 percent of the adult population fully vaccinated.