In a landmark achievement for maternal and child health, Siaya has become the first county in Kenya to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark for suppressing mother-to-child HIV transmission below 5 percent.
The historical milestone was marked by the graduation of 135 children born to HIV-positive mothers who officially tested HIV-negative across three health facilities in the county following two years of intensive medical intervention and community-based care.
Ndori Health Center recorded the highest number of graduates with 60 children, followed by Dienya Health Center with 50, and Sigomre Health Centre with 25. Driven by this success, health facilities across Siaya County have now begun scaling up and adopting the strategy statewide.
Speaking during the celebration, Siaya County PMTCT Coordinator Zilper Imbuye highlighted the critical role played by Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Mentor Mothers in ensuring pregnant women undergo early screening and adhere to antiretroviral treatment.
“Our goal is to ensure every pregnant woman visiting our private and public facilities is tested and knows her HIV status as the first step,” Imbuye said. She noted that through targeted interventions, antiretroviral therapy, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the county successfully brought its vertical transmission rate down from 6.7 percent to meet and sustain the global WHO target below 5 percent.
The success of the initiative relies heavily on peer mentor networks and community health workers supported by national and county governments, alongside partners such as the Kenya Red Cross.
Caroline Awinyo, a Community Mentor Mother, emphasized that persistent grassroots outreach has significantly reduced stigma, enhanced discrimination protection, and increased male partner involvement in antenatal care.
‘’Today, our children have graduated after a two-year journey toward eliminating HIV transmission. Through community follow-ups, stigma has reduced, and families are receiving the support they need to ensure healthy outcomes,” Awinyo said.
Beneficiaries of the program praised the consistent provision of care and medication. Barack Owiti, a resident of Kamsao Village who has been on treatment since 2008, shared that all five of his children born after he started antiretroviral therapy have tested negative for HIV.
‘’When I started taking medication, I was able to father five healthy children who are all HIV-negative. I encourage others in the community to utilize these free government services and stay consistent with their treatment,” Owiti said.
Grace Akinyi Otieno, a CHP representing Kodero B Village attached to Dienya Health Center, attributed the success to relentless door-to-door follow-ups that brought default patients back into active care.
Health officials urged the community to continue supporting household visits by CHPs and encouraged expectant mothers to seek early antenatal care as Siaya cements its position as a national leader in eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.
APERIT FM, HII NI YETU
