One of Kenya’s e-pharmacy platform called MYDAWA on Tuesday secured 135.6 million shillings (about 1.2 million U.S. dollars) grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to boost access to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) among people at higher risk of contracting HIV/Aids.
MYDAWA said in a statement issued in Nairobi that the grant will facilitate seamless delivery of PrEP and halt further transmission of the Aids virus in the country.
Tony Wood, the CEO of MYDAWA said the grant will boost confidential supply of drugs aimed at curbing spread of HIV/Aids to high risk demographics in a convenient, safe and affordable manner.
“Specifically, this investment will leverage MYDAWA’s well established model to expand PrEP delivery online,” said Wood.
MYDAWA will adapt its current model that ensures a seamless end to end customer centered delivery solution for those seeking PrEP across the country,” he added.
According to Wood, MYDAWA’s e-pharmacy model has revolutionized provision of life-saving drugs to more than one million Kenyans living with Aids amid COVID-19 disruptions.
He said that in partnership with an international consortium of donors, researchers will explore innovative ways to scale up online delivery of essential medicine for people living with the Aids virus.
Wood said that MYDAWA has also been at the frontline of promoting sexual and reproductive health services in Kenya through provision of simple and affordable self-test kits for pregnancy and HIV/Aids.
He said that policy reforms and improved awareness were key to boost utilization of online pharmacies that guarantee privacy and efficiency to people living with Aids.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that out of 1.5 million Kenyans living with HIV and Aids, about 1.2 million are already using antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to shield them from opportunistic infections.
