AIDS was recognized as a major health problem in our hospital in 1994 and was incorporated into the Community Health Evangelism programme that was sponsored at the time by the Life Ministry. As a starting point, four AIDS counsellors were trained to help the hospital cope with and try to prevent the spread of the scourge. The hospital entered into a partnership with the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) in which the association was to sponsor AIDS activities including blood screening, HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, home based Care and infection prevention. This support ceased in June 1997 when Lois Ooms, a missionary and community health expert, was requested to carry on the HIV/AIDS activities alongside other Community Health Department programmes.
By 2001, approximately 1500 clients had been counselled. Of these, over 600 cases were diagnosed HIV positive. About 40 percent of our hospital bed capacity then was estimated to have AIDS related illnesses.
A medical seminar organised by the Mission for Essential Drugs (MEDS) in August 2001 recommended the introduction of ARVs in all mission hospitals in Kenya. A medical diagnostic company, Pathogen Diagnostic Laboratory, was mandated to perform the relevant blood tests at a fee.
The same year, 2001, HIV/AIDS department was formally launched as a standalone subsection of the Community Health department with two personnel attached to it. The department only offered Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services, both at the base hospital and mobile clinics, supported by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. Initially, health talks were given to women groups in church camps and school teachers through intensive advocacy campaigns. The PMTCT programme gained momentum in 2002 under the supervision of Dr. Greijte Reirtkerk, a Dutch national working at the hospital.
New staff was trained on VCT in 2005. Clients met the cost of laboratory services and treatment. A new hospital HIV/AIDS policy guideline was formulated and adopted, focusing on recruitment and deployment of staff, consent and confidentiality, ARVs, home based care, blood transfusions, medical cover and precautions at the workplace to avoid post exposure prophylaxis.
Home based care was introduced and it became part and parcel of the HIV/AIDS programme where home visits were made to meet not only the physical needs of the patient but also the emotional, social and spiritual needs.
In 2005 a partnership was entered into between the hospital and the Walter Reed Project/KEMRI. It was then that diagnostic investigations such as liver function tests, renal function tests, chest radiographs, CD4, antiretroviral drugs and OIs were given free of charge.
Update
Currently, services offered include the following:
I. Counselling on:
- Adherence to Medication
- Prevention of Re-infection
- Good Nutrition
- Family Planning
- Couple Counselling and
- Psychological Counselling
II. Provision of anti TB drugs due to HIV Co infection
III. Provision of food supplements by selection criteria
IV. Training of community members from Cheborge and Chemosot health units on Community Based Care
V. Provider Initiative Testing and Counselling
VI. Human Rights training for People Living with HIV/AIDS
VII. Post exposure prophylaxis for both staff and the public
VIII. Community Mobilization
In mid August this year, we held a successful Information Day for our pediatric HIV clients together with their Caregivers. The children had lots of fun and interacted freely with each other and with our staff. 48 Clients attended accompanied with 37 Caregivers.
We were supported by various organizations including the Kenya Commercial Bank, Equity Bank, Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) and individuals who donated food, books, clothing and money to the clients. We intend to make this a permanent feature in our calendar.
We are planning to commission the Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s programme before the end of this year.