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Kenya chairs 54th UNAIDS board meeting, pledges vigorous action against AIDS

Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services Mr. Harry Kimtai chairs the 54th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board Meeting at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: X/MoHKenya

By Vincent Ombati | Thursday, June 27, 2024

Over three days, the conference convened state members, 11 UN agencies, and representatives of People Living with HIV to oversee UNAIDS' critical work in tackling the AIDS epidemic.

Kenya took the helm at the 54th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting hosted at the World Health Organization headquarters, marking a pivotal moment in global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

Over three days, the conference convened state members, 11 UN agencies, and representatives of People Living with HIV to oversee UNAIDS' critical work in tackling the AIDS epidemic.

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Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, represented Kenya, emphasizing the country's commitment to advancing initiatives that aim to eradicate AIDS by 2030.

"This leadership role enables Kenya to address crucial challenges in our fight against AIDS," stated Kimtai, underscoring Kenya's strategic position to drive impactful policies and interventions.

Speaking during the meeting, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said many people are living with AIDS and are almost giving up. She urged stakeholders to join hands in fighting for communities and sustain the global HIV response until a vaccine or cure is found.

"AIDS is not over and forgetting about HIV is not an option. 40 million people around the world are living with HIV while 1.3 million are added yearly. We are at a crossroads now, either we keep the pressure on and take the right path to end AIDS by 2030," decried Byanyima.

The PS revealed that Kenya will host the 55th PCB meeting in December. The last time a similar event happened in Kenya was in 1997.

During a rally for the Social Health Authority drive, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha stated that HIV is included in the package. She asked persons with HIV to enrol. As of December 2023, Kenya had 1.3 million persons living with HIV, with 1.2 million receiving treatment.

According to UNAIDS figures, 20.8 million individuals have been rescued from AIDS-related deaths between 1996 and 2022, with another 1.8 million lives potentially saved by 2030 if investments in the HIV response are made.