The Ministry of health (MoH) has refuted claims of poor-quality HIV testing commodities circulation in the country.
According to principal secretary (PS) Medical services, Harry Kimtai, through MOH’s routine commodity surveillance efforts, the independent pharmacovigilance system under the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), and the robust quality assurance proficiency testing which routinely monitor and safeguard the quality of HIV testing in Kenya has not yet flagged out issues of substandard and or poor-quality HIV testing commodities in circulation.
He adds that, the WHO also supports member countries in global pharmacovigilance with no advisory on poor quality of HIV testing services in Kenya.
“It is important that the gains made in the response to HIV are not rolled back due to mis-information.” Said CS Kimtai.
Kenya has the world’s seventh largest HIV epidemic, with an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV (PLHIV). As of the end of December 2023, 1.336,234 people living with HIV were receiving treatment at 3,752 facilities across the country.
More than 8 million HIV tests are administered in an order to various populations every year at over 8,851 public, commercial, and faith-based HIV testing locations across the country.
“This progress results from consistent policy guidance by the Ministry to support and ensure accurate and safe HIV testing, comprehensive care, and prevention services for all Kenyans. It always aligns with the most updated evidence and guidance from WHO.” Said CS Kimtai.
In 2019, the World Health Organization advised all nations to use a three-test protocol for HIV diagnosis in response to evolving advice and new findings. This procedure involves the use of three separate test kits in a certain order to accurately diagnose HIV.
Kenya is one of ten countries in the world shifting to the three-test algorithm for HIV diagnosis, following a strict process by a multi-stakeholder Task Force to adopt the WHO standard.
“The three-test algorithm marks a pivotal advancement in diagnostic accuracy, which is critical in Kenya’s fight against HIV and AIDS, underscoring the MOH’s dedication to the health and well-being of all citizens.”
