Kenya’s Ministry of Health has assured the country of stable and sufficient stock levels of critical HIV program commodities and testing kits despite challenges posed by the recent decision by the United States to suspend funding for various global health programs.
Speaking at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa flagged off a fresh consignment of HIV-related medical supplies, affirming the government’s commitment to ensuring continuous availability of these essential commodities.
Dr. Barasa emphasized that Kenya currently maintains secure stock levels of key antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, including Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD), pediatric ARVs, and Nevirapine suspension.
“Specifically, we have adequate supplies of TLD, pediatric ARVs,
Nevirapine suspension, and various HIV testing commodities,” she said.
“We are also ensuring consistent availability of Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and Viral Load testing reagents.”
According to Dr. Barasa, Kenya has 2,026,555 packs of TLD, translating to 4.7 months of stock, with an additional 4.8 million packs expected by June 2025. This will extend the central stock to over 11 months.
The country also has 326,000 packs of Abacavir/Lamivudine 120/60 mg dispersible tablets, enough to last for 7.4 months, and 510,000 bottles of Nevirapine suspension at MEDS to support the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV.
“We are also planning to introduce a fixed-dose pediatric combination of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir in August 2025,” she revealed, adding that over 18 months’ supply of this product has already been ordered.
The Health CS reaffirmed the country’s commitment to effective HIV screening through thr newly adopted three-test algorithm, which ensures accuracy in HIV diagnosis.
“We have 8,330,300 Trinscreen tests at KEMSA and MEDS, translating to 10 months of stock,” Dr. Barasa stated. “Additionally, we have
1,483,125 HIV/Syphilis duo test kits covering 14.5 months, 565,575 one-step tests for 21.8 months, and 348,575 first-response tests covering 21 months.”
On Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), she reported that Kenya has 18,432 tests available, sufficient for 1.7 months. To maintain uninterrupted services, the ministry is expediting the delivery of 52,608 tests by April 2025.
For viral load testing, the country currently has 446,436 tests available, covering 3.5 months. The Ministry of Health is expediting the delivery of Alinity and ROCHE reagents by April 2025 to ensure continuous service delivery.
“Viral load tests are crucial for monitoring treatment in people
living with HIV,” she explained. “These tests are conducted in 12 central laboratories using ABBOTT Alinity and ROCHE 6800/8800 platforms.”
On condom availability, Dr. Barasa disclosed that Kenya has 1.6 million male condoms in stock and recently distributed nine million pieces to health facilities. Furthermore, 28 million more condoms are in the pipeline, with an additional 93 million under procurement at KEMSA.
Despite the challenges posed by the suspension of U.S. global health program funding, Dr. Barasa reassured Kenyans that the government remains committed to sustaining HIV care and treatment.
“Our priority is to ensure that patients receive quality care with adequate and readily available commodities despite the headwinds we face,” she stated. “Our resolve remains unshaken.”
She acknowledged PEPFAR’s longstanding support and appreciated its decision to review a stop order that had temporarily disrupted MEDS operations.
She said that , Kenya has approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV and has made significant progress toward achieving UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets, reaching 98-98-94.
While the country has made remarkable strides, Dr. Barasa highlighted existing gaps, particularly in supply continuity for remote areas and the need for digitizing drug distribution in some counties.
“Stigma continues to hinder access to care, and real-time data is critical for policy and resource mobilization,” she noted.
To enhance HIV commodity security, she recommended strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, integrating HIV patients into the national health insurance scheme, and leveraging digital platforms to improve efficiency and track distribution.
Dr. Barasa also emphasized the importance of community-led responses to combat stigma and bridge the gap between healthcare services and those who need them most.
With strong leadership and innovative solutions, the Health CS expressed confidence in Kenya’s ability to manage its HIV response and maintain uninterrupted access to essential HIV commodities.
