By Mercy Kachenge
Nairobi, Kenya: In pursuit of the audacious goal of ending AIDS in children by 2027 and in adults by 2030, Kenya has made significant strides through its adolescent HIV treatment programs. The centerpiece of this ambitious initiative is the Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) program, which aims to achieve zero missed appointments, zero missed drugs, and zero viral loads.
In 2016, Kenya adopted the Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U) initiative, which is grounded in scientific evidence demonstrating that individuals with HIV on effective treatment, achieving a persistently undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit the virus. Subsequently, in 2020, Kenya initiated the U=U National initiative. This initiative serves as a pivotal opportunity to alleviate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV, while concurrently promoting treatment as a preventive measure and ensuring continuity of care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
The OTZ and U=U initiatives, through vertical programming, aim to integrate cost-effective and efficient HIV services into healthcare systems. This holistic, person-centered approach seeks to provide comprehensive care to adolescents and young people living with HIV, with the goal of improving their outcomes and contributing to their self-realization journey.
Dr. Emma Momanyi, Technical Advisor at the Center for International Health Education and Biosecurity Kenya (CIHEB Kenya), reports a notable improvement in indicators among adolescents over the past three years. Viral suppression, which stood at approximately 60% to 70% a decade ago, has now reached an impressive 90% among the Operation Triple Zero Champions.
“This progress reflects not only high rates of viral suppression but also in other positive outcomes and ultimate goals to achieve zero deaths from HIV and eliminating the stigma associated with it”, said Dr. Momanyi.
Damaris Nyamweya, President of Operation Triple Zero (OTZ), emphasized the pressing challenge of motivating young individuals to seek healthcare services. This reluctance stems from the absence of youth-friendly environments within healthcare facilities, coupled with a concerning level of ignorance among adolescents.
In her speech, she emphasized that the On Target Zero program is actively implementing a range of strategies, particularly in rural areas. Their efforts focus on encouraging young people to seek testing at designated facilities and ensuring that those who have defaulted on their care are followed up on to ensure they receive the necessary support and treatment.
“Despite the challenges of young adolescents and young people defaulting their care,the OTZ initiative is committed to overcoming them through remaining optimistic about the future with the aim of achieving an HIV-free generation by 2030”, she said.
Furthermore, the OTZ President emphasized their commitment to leveraging technology to bolster their communication efforts and reinforce their support network. They have established WhatsApp groups and community groups, among other communication platforms, to facilitate seamless communication among members. These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity, strengthen their network, and provide robust support systems within the organization.
Red Rose Nyaboke, Senior Technical Advisor USAID Stawisha Pwani – Coast Region, it is possible to end the triple threat and HIV by focusing on integrating services and developing products to ensure a path towards self-reliance with the aim of ensuring that Kenya continues to provide services after the donor support diminishes due to the reductions in donor services.
Red Rose added that based on the OTZ theme, ‘breaking barriers through integrated solutions to attain and sustain U=U among adolescents and young people, they are committed to ending pediatric rates transmission by 2027 by coming up with an injectable PREP where they are able to prevent HIV transmission.
Dr. Ruth Laibon-Masha, Chief Executive officer of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, individuals aged 15 to 24 account for over 30% of all new HIV infections. This statistic is more than just a number; it represents real lives, futures at risk, and a generation that deserves better.
“Alarmingly, young women in this age group are nearly twice as likely to acquire HIV as their male counterparts. The factors contributing to the rise in infections are multifaceted. Misconceptions about HIV risk, high rates of unprotected intercourse, and the influence of alcohol and drugs significantly impact our youth. Compounding these issues, adolescents often encounter substantial barriers to accessing medical care and face pervasive stigma that can deter them from seeking help.” Dr.Laibon-Masha explained.
She underscored the need to recognize the urgent need to address these challenges more effectively through the Ministry of Health endorsing the Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) initiative that is designed to provide a structured, supportive framework tailored to meet the specific needs of adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYPLHIV), empowering them to achieve better health outcomes and ultimately lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Additionally, Dr. Laibon-Masha said that the success of OTZ is deeply rooted in its collaborative approach with the Ministry of Health, the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) which has provided strategic leadership, ensuring that OTZ is seamlessly integrated into Kenya’s National HIV response strategies.
“With ¾ of the counties embracing and implementing the initiative and the guidance provided by NSDCC in the development of the OTZ manual that is due for release, the Division is keen on supporting the integration of this initiative to improve treatment outcomes in the country County Governments have also played a crucial role in the on-ground implementation of the program, providing the necessary resources and support systems at the local level. This integration is particularly vital in an era where donor funding for HIV programs is diminishing.” She urged.
