Homa Bay County Director of Health Dr. Gordon Okomo has called for a multi-agency effort to combat HIV/AIDs among adolescents.
Okomo decried the surge of HIV new infections among adolescents in the region saying the scenario risks to roll back the gains so far made in the war against the pandemic.
Speaking during World Aids Day celebrations at Agoro grounds, Rachuonyo south sub county, Dr Okomo said the health sector in conjunction with partners had managed to reduce the cases drastically.
“But new infections among adolescents and teenage pregnancies might turn to be a major setback and calls for concerted effort from every stakeholder to overcome these challenges,’’ he said.
“Today ladies and gentlemen, we have seen a journey where tests can be done at your doorstep, we have seen a journey where you can take the drugs from your nearest health facility, we have seen lives being prolonged and deaths going down,” he said.
The director said accessibility of the HIV/AIDS drugs has been increased, and more than 161 health facilities across the county where ART services are being offered put up.
“We have now even moved from doorstep testing to focus HIV testing after notification services have been done and we offer all programmes from care, treatment and prevention,” he said.
Echoing the theme of this year’s World Aids Day ‘equalization’ he said they want to ensure marginalized populations and populations that are at risk including sex workers are well catered for in the fight against the pandemic.
“That is why in this meeting I call upon people of all walks of life among them educationists, DCC, and Judiciary among others to combine efforts and ensure there are no teenage pregnancies and new infections of HIV among the adolescents,” he urged.
