Children and young people with HIV and/or tuberculosis often fall prey to various forms of stigma which plays a huge role as a barrier in the prevention and control to the two major public health problems, health advocates said as Kenya joined the rest of Africa to mark the Day of the African Child.
According to health experts and Civil Society organizations (CSOs), prevention of TB and HIV, requires a quick response by prioritizing comprehensive strategies that encompass education, access to quality healthcare services and community engagement.
According to Dr Caren Mburu, Pediatrician and senior technical advisor for adolescent and pediatric services at Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric Aids Foundation (EGPAF), there is an urgent need for concerted effort to address pervasive stigma and discrimination that continue to shroud HIV and TB, hindering efforts to reach those most in need.
“While we celebrate the remarkable progress made in reducing new HIV infections and improving access to treatment, the harsh reality is that thousands of Kenyan children and adolescents continue to grapple with the burden of this disease,” she said.
Dr Mburu added that, “We should hold hands of our children and young people living with AIDS and TB and ensure that they do not face stigma and prejudice and live to their fullest potential.”
She urged Kenyans regardless of political or religious affiliation to unite in purpose and confront root causes of HIV transmission by working within our communities to fight HIV/AIDS and TB stigma and support children, adolescents and young people living with HIV in schools and in Community.
Data from the ministry shows that over 67,000 children are living with HIV/Aids, with approximately 4,500 new pediatric infections having occurred in 2022 with 41percent of new infections among adolescents and young women. Girls and young women continue to face triple threats of HIV infection, GBV and teenage pregnancies.
The health experts and the CSOs were speaking at the Day of the African Child Commemorations 2024 organized by INERELA+ Kenya, in partnership with EGPAF, UNAIDS, NASCOP, WOFAK, STOP TB Partnership, HENNET, MAIN Kenya, AYARHEP, NEPHAK, NTBC Kenya, WACI Health, ACHAP and Mtoto News, themed “Every Child Deserves the Chance to Learn and Grow without Health Barriers, Invest in the Prevention and Treatment of TB and HIV.”
According to StopTB Partnership’s Coordinator in Kenya, Evaline Kibuchi there is still a lot of stigma in TB among children especially in schools. Teachers and members of the community needs to be sensitized and made aware not to discriminate on children diagnosed with TB and HIV, she said.
She said that stigma can affects children from adhering to their TB treatment and prevention and control.
There is a lot of stigma in TB among children,” she said citing a reported case of form Three student who was barred from boarding in a school after he opened up to his teachers about his TB diagnosis.
“The student was forced to be a day scholar in a boarding school, to sit in isolation in class and allocated special cups and utensils to prevent him from infecting other learners,” Kibuchi said.
Kibuchi urged the Ministry of Education to take responsibility in addressing TB, by ensuring that more classes are built to avoid congestions in classes and teachers are sensitized on TB and that there should be collaborations between schools and ministry of health to routinely diagnose TB in schools and refer the children to treatments.
In 2023, at least 139,000 people developed TB in Kenya, with 17,000 being children.
While health cabinet secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, said that Kenya has unveiled a comprehensive commitment plan aimed at eradicating the ‘Triple Threat’ of new HIV infections, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and teenage pregnancy by the year 2027.
“Responding to the triple threats is a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to safeguard children and youth, “She said.
Kenya has committed to ending HIV and AIDS as a public health threat, teenage pregnancies by 2030, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including sexual violence, by 2026. Teenage pregnancy, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and HIV/AIDS are the triple threats hampering the realization of the demographic dividend in Africa.
“One in four young girls gives birth before their 18th birthday in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared to a global average of 14pewrcent. The prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Africa, including child marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), continues with 17percent of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa below 15 years old having undergone FGM; 35percent of women in Sub-Saharan Africa are married before age 18.”
The CS said that Africa region accounts for a disproportionately high number of adolescents living with HIV, at 89percent of the global total.
“These challenges present a complex web of vulnerabilities and profoundly impact health, population, and development, including education, economic opportunities, and the overall well-being of adolescent girls. As a result of the triple threat of teenage pregnancies, Gender-Based Violence, and HIV, young people who represent Africa’s resource for development face multiple and intersecting challenges, which limit their ability to realize their full potential.”
According to the CS, the Ministry of Health in Kenya is actively a key stakeholder in child protection and is engaged in policy formulation to address Violence against Children, recognizing it as a critical public health issue. Children need nurturing care to ensure that they thrive and attain their highest potential intellectually, socially, and economically.
“The Ministry of Health locally adopted Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development following its launch at the World Health Assembly (2018). It is a multifaceted approach that encompasses providing children with good health, adequate nutrition, safety and security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive caregiving.”
She said that by prioritizing the holistic well-being of children during their early years, nurturing care initiatives aim to create safe, supportive, and nurturing environments where children can not only survive but thrive and live to their full potential.
“Nurturing care initiatives emphasize the importance of building strong attachment relationships between children, young people, and their caregivers. Secure attachments provide children with a sense of security and stability, which is essential for healthy development from childhood to adulthood.”
Child safety is also promoted when the caregiver is given psychosocial support, which enables them create a nurturing environment to raise children.
Additionally, she emphasized that the health sector is integrating various aspects of early childhood development into health services to equip parents not only with skills to ensure good health and nutrition but also to provide safety and security to their children.
“Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has developed a draft curriculum for Early Childhood Development targeted at Community Health Promoters and other community workers to be able to educate parents and other caregivers on providing Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development.”
