Raped or defiled, what you need to do.

Gender Violence Recovery Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital

More often than not when one is defiled or raped they become helpless. Life suddenly becomes unbearable and the thought of seeking justice is far-fetched. This happens because survivors suffer stigma. It should not be the case, one needs to report and legal action taken to stop these heinous acts. You could be wondering how to I go about this, well here is how.
In case of Rape
• Don’t take a bath. Even though it is a natural reaction to want to wash, do not take a shower or bath as this may destroy vital evidence needed in your case.
• Do not change your clothes as these may carry blood, semen and other bodily fluid which can be used as evidence. If you have to change clothes, DO NOT keep clothes in a PLASTIC BAG.
• If you can manage, do not go to the toilet or brush your teeth.
• Don’t drink any alcohol or take any medication before going to the police since this can influence the outcome of the medical examination, and you will also need to make a statement.
• Contact a friend/family member you trust for support. The first person you tell about the rape is called the first witness. This person may need to make a statement to the police about your condition and if possible, should accompany you to the hospital/police station.
• See a doctor first
• It is recommended that you visit the nearest clinic, hospital or doctor first. It is preferable to not visit a family doctor as he/she may not be trained for this type of medical investigation. The doctor must be willing to testify in court.
• Report to a police station and record a statement. Make sure you take the OB number.

Dealing with the police
Initially only a brief statement is required from you. Make sure you read over the statement before signing it. You can provide a more detailed statement later.

You must get the P3 Form. The Kenya Police Medical Examination form, popularly known as P3, is provided free of charge at our police stations. It is used to request for medical examination from a Medical Officer of Health, in order to determine the nature and extent of bodily injury sustained by a complainant(s) in assault cases. Part I of the form must be filled by the Police Officer requesting medical examination.

Part II must be filled by a Medical Officer or Practitioner carrying out the examination giving medical details. This form is a government document and must be returned to the police for use in adducing evidence in court. Once the P3 form is filled in at the police station, the complainant is escorted by a police officer to a medical officer or practitioner for examination. The form becomes an exhibit once produced in court.

At the police station you have the right to:
• Make your statement in a private room
• Make your statement to a female officer (if there is one)
• Make your statement in your own language
• Have a friend/family member with you for support
• Get a copy of your affidavit (you are entitled by law), name of the investigating officer and case number.
• Get the OB number of the police station you can call to check progress on your case.

• If a suspect has been caught, make sure they inform you of a bail application. You have no right to testify at the bail application, but you can find out the name of the prosecutor and the court where the hearing will take place.
• You can approach the Chief Prosecutor or Prosecutor in charge of Sexual Offences before the bail hearing and disclose your fears if the suspect is released on bail.

What happens during the medical examination?
Try and remember. Provide as much details as you can of the incident to the doctor examining you. This may serve as useful evidence.

Rape kit
The doctor needs to complete a rape kit, this includes taking note of any injuries, scrapings under finger nails, evidence of sperm from your vagina and looking for possible DNA.
No male officer may be present at the examination and once again, you have the right to have a friend or relative with you to support you.

HIV
It is important to get PEP within 72 hours of penetration, attempted penetration, oral sex, or anal sex to reduce the possibility of contracting HIV.
Before getting the medication, you will need to undergo an HIV test.

STDs and pregnancy
During the first doctor’s examination you may need to take in quite a lot of medication. Doctors may prescribe medicines to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and further infections such as hepatitis, and to prevent pregnancy.
If you are already pregnant when you are raped, talk to the doctor about the possibilities of your unborn baby becoming infected with HIV.

Forensic evidence
Doctors may ask for your clothes and other evidence which will be sealed in a paper, not plastic bag. Plastic bags can cause degradation of biological material (such as semen) as a result of the heat in the bag.
All evidence is entered into a special police crime kit.

Getting support
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that often affects rape survivors. This psychological disorder can be very debilitating. It is important to get some form of support or counselling after being raped, as you will have many emotions and concerns that you will need to work through.

If you are in Kisumu you can visit Gender Violence Recovery Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (Russia)

Call us for free on 0800724500 or contact these numbers for help; Child line Kenya-116 and Health Assistance Kenya-1195.

Help us break the silence on such instances of human rights violation by sharing your story with us. It is through the documented cases that we can demonstrate how real the situation is and influence programs to support survivors

We empower and educate the vocational way

 

Education of girls is essential in the drive by nations to achieve development goals.

Despite this fact, the girl child is often perceived and treated as inferior and has been socialized to put their needs second after everyone’s thus undermining their self-esteem.

Many girls hardly get the relevant type of education that would make them overcome the social, cultural and health challenges.

As a result many girls end up dropping out of school for a number of reasons. To empower such girls so as to attain knowledge and skills that help them make a change in their life, KMET came up with SFC (Sisterhood For Change) program.

The SFC program empowers girls to attain knowledge and skills that will improve their economic independence and soundness.

The goal of SFC is to increase access to livelihood opportunities and sexual reproductive health information/services to adolescent girls and young women from poor backgrounds.  Participants are trained in vocational, reproductive health or life skills besides hairdressing, dress making and food and beverage courses.

For those who wish to enroll and have children; no need to worry because KMET has also established a daycare facility to take care for the little ones as their mothers learn.

SFC works with a range of stakeholders into meeting some of its objectives. These includes the police, Government ministries, local administrators, community leaders, religious leaders, parents whose mandate is to provide ongoing support, guidance, contribute to the growth of the program and feedback to the KMET management on how best to improve quality of services offered at SFC. This forms a committee named the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

In addition, KMET offers referral sites on health related matters affecting the adolescent girls at SFC to bring in positive health seeking behavior among the adolescents and young women to reduce the social and structural factors that contribute to HIV vulnerability.

Once the participant is through with Vocational training they are placed in a 3-month internship, where they develop their vocational skills.

Courses Offered.

Food and Beverage  (6months)
Hairdressing Beauty Therapy  (6months)
Dress making  (one year).
The courses run for six months apart from the Tailoring course that runs for one year.

Intake is ongoing. If you wish to enroll please contact:
Jennifer Musuya
Email:j.musuya@kmet.co.ke
Cell: 0719364388
You can also reach us by visiting our website: http://www.kmet.co.ke or follow us on Facebook and twitter.

How to use the Female Condom

With a little practice, female condoms are very easy to use.

To insert the female condom

• Put spermicide or lubricant on the outside of the closed end.
• Find a comfortable position. You can stand with one foot on a chair, sit on the edge of a chair, lie down, or squat.
• Squeeze together the sides of the inner ring at the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina like a tampon.
• Push the inner ring into the vagina as far as it can go — until it reaches the cervix.
• Pull out your finger and let the outer ring hang about an inch outside the vagina.

If you want to use the female condom for anal intercourse, follow above instructions for inserting it into the anus.

During vaginal intercourse, it is normal for the female condom to move side to side. Stop intercourse if the penis slips between the condom and the walls of the vagina or if the outer ring is pushed into the vagina. As long as your partner has not yet ejaculated, you can gently remove the condom from the vagina, add extra spermicide or lubricant, and insert it once again.

If your partner has ejaculated outside the female condom into your vagina, you may want to consider using emergency contraception (morning after pill). Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy if started up to five days after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you start it, the better it will work.

To remove the female condom

• Squeeze and twist the outer ring to keep semen inside the pouch.
• Gently pull it out of the vagina or anus.
• Throw it away. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Do not reuse the female condom.

Source: http://www.plannedparenthood.org

Condoned Traditional Norms.

Gender inequality and violence against women affect the lives of every person, regardless of age or gender. According to the annual report released by Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) 45% of women between ages 15 – 49 in Kenya have expe­ri­enced either phys­i­cal or sex­ual violence with women and girls accounting for 90% of the gender based violence (GBV) cases reported.

Lisa* (not her real name) is a mother of four (2girls & 2 boys) who has been married for 10 years at the age of 16. She has been abused ever since. When it started she did not think it would escalate to dangerous levels.

She confesses that her husband beats her everyday, especially when he gets drunk. She says that he once threw a knife at her when she asked for intervention from his brothers, fortunately it missed her narrowly. She had stayed at her matrimonial home so she could fend for her children by doing odd jobs as the husband is unemployed.

Last time she was beaten so badly with a `rungu’ that she bled profusely and lost consciousness in the presence of her children .She bled the whole night as there as there was no means of transport that night and her husband had run away thinking that she was dead. The members of her church took her to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital the following morning where she was treated and referred to KMET.

Lisa reported the case at GBV Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and since she did not have the required fee for a P3 form as she just does odd jobs for upkeep she was forced to let go pressing charges against her husband but instead burry her pain in the grave and move on with life as she continued to nurse the injuries inflicted on her.

Lisa  moved out of her matrimonial home together with her four children and now lives at a friend`s house in Kajulu. She had promised to come back for further psychological support.

In order to reduce occurrences of SGBV, KMET has come up with Freedom House (rescue center) to help tackle challenges young women face. It aims to educate and empower GBV victims as well as give them the opportunity to indulge, share and overcome experiences of abuse.

Ending the violence starts with you and that is why we encourage everyone to be responsible enough to report the cases at any nearest responsible center.

  You can also call us for free on 0800724500 or contact these numbers for help: Child line Kenya-116 and Health Assistance Kenya-1195.

If you wish to contact JOOTRH Gender based Violence Centre Call 07141388868 or beep for medical attention.

Or contact us via email on:marketing@kmet.co.ke or info@kmet.co.ke
Help us break the silence on such instances of human rights violation by sharing your story with us.

Done by Ashiembi

Reaping the benefits of quality health financing

Public funding for healthcare is grossly insufficient and many small private clinics serving much of the population struggle to meet demand and finance badly needed upgrades and facility expansion.
Godswill Medical Centre located in Nyalenda informal settlement, Kisumu City is a small private clinic offering health care services to the underserved population drawn from Milimani and Nyalenda estates.
Since its existence in 2001 the facility has been providing medical services mainly to clients who  pay out of pocket.
When it opened its doors the facility offered only curative services. After partnering with KMET in the Medical Credit Fund program they have been able to introduce a number of services among them- youth friendly services, immunization, laboratory care, admission of maternity cases. The centre also provides outpatient services, minor procedures and cervical cancer screening.
Before joining the program the facility only offered basic health care services. Inadequate equipment, poor waste management and improper patient data management characterized the facility.
With time the facility  got a new face lift. They enrolled into  MCF and accessed 2.5 million shillings  loan. This facilitated the purchase of several medical equipment and expansion activities at the centre.

The Medical Credit Fund has a set of standards to rate  clinics as the initial step  is providing a process for them to improve the quality of care they provide. It also provides a technical assistance program around business skills to provide training on the job, to make sure they have audited financial statements.

This loan helped them move from  two rooms to a spacious facility  adding a maternity wing, Director’s Office, waiting lounge and consultation room.
It has also benefited from several SafeCare training leading to its graduation from Level 1 to Level 2 during 2014 certification survey.
This means the facility has made step towards institutionalizing the provision of quality healthcare, improved staff attitude through team work.
The gradual expansion and provision of quality services gives it the chance to attain a centre of excellence certification in this new certification phase.

“We are helping these clinics build a financial track record showing they have borrowed money and repaid it, and that helps individual clinics,” explains Medical Credit Fund Managing Director Monique Dolfing-Vogelenzang

He furthers adds, “But we hope to reach a tipping point where this market of small clinics, which are providing so much of the health care in Africa, becomes interesting for banks.”

Fistula|Pariahs in their Society.

What is fistula?

Fistula is a tear in a woman’s bladder or rectum that causes her to constantly leak urine or faeces.

Two million women suffer from the condition with 50,000 to 100,000 new cases occurring every year worldwide.

The main causes are prolonged labour, botched Caesarean section and sexual assault.

Are their types of this disease?

There are two kinds of fistula.

Obstetric fistula which is an abnormal opening in the birth canal. It’s an injury that occurs during child birth, usually when a woman is in labour for too long or when the delivery is obstructed.

Traumatic fistula which is an abnormal opening in the birth canal between the bladder and rectum resulting in incontinence. It’s an injury caused by rape or sexual violence

Does it affect women in Kenya?

More than two million women in Kenya suffer from fistula complications. This situation is further aggravated by delayed treatment because of limited facilities.

Most victims suffer pain and stigma. The cases are high in parts of North Rift, Western and Nyanza region.

Who is mostly at risk of fistula?

Most fistulas occur among women living in poverty, in cultures where a woman’s status and self-esteem may depend almost entirely on her marriage and ability to bear children, notes UNFPA.

Are they factors that increase one chances of getting affected?

The risk of obstetric fistula often begins when young girls get pregnant early, before their bodies are able to safely sustain a pregnancy. The unease surrounding sex education in Kenyan schools is one of the reasons for early pregnancy due to a lack of accurate reproductive health knowledge,

Female Genital Mutilation: Infibulation, practiced in some communities, which involves the cutting and sewing up of a girl’s genitalia leaving a match-stick size hole for the passage of menstrual blood is especially harmful. This hole is then crudely cut open during childbirth, something which could end up severing the bladder.

Myths and misconceptions surrounding fistula

Fistula is sometimes linked to taboo conditions such as HIV/AIDS, abortion and infertility. Fistula survivors may be thought to be bewitched or cursed, or may be accused of being promiscuous. There is also a refusal by some women to give birth in hospitals due to the belief that they will receive injections that will cause infertility, or be forced to have unnecessary Caesarean births.

 Stigma

Women and girls with fistula are often abused, beaten, abandoned, and isolated. Without repair, fistula may cause a fetid odour, frequent pelvic and urinary infections, painful genital ulcerations, infertility and nerve damage to the legs.

Affected women may miss out on crucial information on treatment and support, due to a lack of social interaction.

Home therapies

Due to the stigma associated with leaking urine, women sometimes refuse to drink water, making the urine more concentrated and resulting in the burning of the vulva; some also develop kidney disorders. In some communities, women seek to control the seepage of urine by inserting hot rods in an attempt to “seal” the fistula, causing more damage.

Lack of reproductive health education coupled with widespread ignorance of the basic facts also contributes to misconceptions. Because even medical personnel have insufficient information this has hindered timely referrals for the patient’s.

   Is there treatment for fistula?

Treatment for fistula varies depending on the cause and extent of the fistula, but often involves surgical intervention combined with antibiotic therapy.

Typically the first step in treating a fistula is an examination by a doctor to determine the extent and “path” that the fistula takes through the tissue.

In some cases the fistula is temporarily covered, for example a fistula caused by cleft palate is often treated with a palatal obturator to delay the need for surgery to a more appropriate age.

Surgery is often required to assure adequate drainage of the fistula (so that pus may escape without forming an abscess).

Various surgical procedures are commonly used, most commonly fistulotomy, placement of a Seton (a cord that is passed through the path of the fistula to keep it open for draining), or an endorectal flap procedure (where healthy tissue is pulled over the internal side of the fistula to keep feces or other material from re infecting the channel).

Treatment involves filling the fistula with fibrin glue; also plugging it with plugs made of porcine small intestine submucosa have also been explored in recent years, with variable success. Surgery for anorectal fistulae is not without side effects, including recurrence, reinfection, and incontinence.

According to the UNFPA, only 7.5 per cent of women are able to access fistula treatment.

Cherangany Nursing Home, Kitale in Trans Nzoia County which partners with KMET offers these services for free. Patients are refunded their transport once they get to the facility and the corrective surgery done.

In Siaya county, on June 22 to June 25 there will be a free gynaelocology examination at Sagam Hospital. KMET is partnering with the hospital to reach out to patients seeking corrective fistula surgery.

By Don King and Ashiembi Pauline

Betrayal of Trust: Father impregnates and infects daughter of 12

Ruth* was 12 years old when she got pregnant. The minor’s mother had noticed striking physiological changes in her daughter including nausea and vomiting. She decided to carry out a home pregnancy test that confirmed her worst fears.

A community health volunteer reported the case to KMET in late 2013 having learnt about KMET’s Young People Health and Empowerment program. We traced Ruth by paying a visit to her school but her teachers were reluctant to disclose any information.

After some probing, the teacher in charge of guidance and counseling eventually disclosed that Ruth exhibited symptoms of trauma. She said she could however, not establish the rumors around school that a family member was abusing Ruth since the girl was not willing to talk about the topic.

Early 2014, KMET involved the services of a Community Health Volunteer who lived closer to Ruth’s home. She formed a close relationship with Ruth’s mother all the while offering targeted information on sexual reproductive health and child rights to mother and daughter.

Ruth later disclosed that the father used to threaten her with a machete. “He warned to kill me should I speak to mama about what he used to do to me,” she narrated. The father reportedly used to molest and have intercourse with her on a number of occasions.

With this revelation, KMET involved the authorities but Ruth and her mother vanished after a few days while the case was building momentum. The minor had also tested positive for HIV.

After a few months, Ruth reappeared but this time she was not pregnant. We later established that the perpetrator had been threatening her family to get rid of the pregnancy. In Luo culture, it is chira (a curse) to conceive and carry your father’s ‘seed’.

The authorities pursued the case but before a court process was initiated, the father passed-on with a crime unpaid.

KMET implores you to join forces with us and other partners to put an end to sexual gender based violence by reporting any known case to the police or any civil society group around your area.

Call us for free on 0800724500 or contact these numbers for help; Child line Kenya-116 and Health Assistance Kenya-1195.

Help us break the silence on such instances of human rights violation by sharing your story with us. It is through the documented cases that we can demonstrate how real the situation is and influence programs to support survivors and their families.

 

 

Illustration Courtesy of www.behance.net

Ruth* is not the survivor’s real name. Some information has been omitted and/or altered to protect the subject’s identity.

To write to us email info@kmet.co.ke and/or marketing@kmet.co.ke

 

Sexual and gender based violence: The Kenyan situation

 

Stopping sexual and gender based violence is a multi-sectoral approach

In Kenyan communities, wife beating was a common occurrence. The women suffered at the hands of men because this was considered a disciplinary measure. Since the menfolk were dominant they were supposed to inflict pain and cause emotional turmoil to women to control them. In modern times such acts disregard the law particularly on human rights. The constitution of Kenya spells out the rights of each person alongside 

Hiding behind this veil has contributed to these modern times abuse on women. Every day a woman somewhere suffers abuse, is violated adding to the alarming statistics of gender based violence incidences. 

In 1993, the first attempts to clearly define sexual and gender based violence was made at the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

It’s defined: Any harmful act that is perpetrated against one person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females.  It includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. 

SGBV entails widespread human rights violations, and is often linked to unequal gender relations within communities and abuses of power.  According to Human Rights Activists, violence against women is rooted in gender inequality.   It arises from the unequal power relationships between men and women.

 It can take the form of sexual violence or persecution by the authorities, or can be the result of discrimination embedded in legislation or prevailing societal norms and practices. It can be both a cause of forced displacement and an intolerable part of the displacement experience.

Women’s subordinate status to men in many societies, coupled with a general acceptance of interpersonal violence as a means of resolving conflict, renders women disproportionately vulnerable to violence from all levels of society: individual men, within the family and community, and by the state.

According to statistics from the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) 45% of women between ages 15 – 49 in Kenya have experienced either physical or sexual violence with women and girls accounting for 90% of the gender based violence (GBV) cases reported. One in five Kenyan women (21%) has experienced sexual violence

The impact of SGBV is devastating. The individual women who are victims of such violence often experience life-long emotional distress, mental health problems and poor reproductive health, as well as being at higher risk of acquiring HIV and intensive long-term users of health services.

In addition, the cost to women, their children, families and communities is a significant obstacle to reducing poverty, achieving gender equality and ensuring a peaceful transition for post-conflict societies.

 This, in conjunction with the mental and physical health implications of gender-based violence, impacts on a state or region’s ability to develop and construct a stable, productive society, or reconstruct a country in the wake of conflict.

Culture has been cited as the leading cause of violence against women. Some men it seems still subscribe to outdated traditions e.g. that battering a woman is seen as a way of discipline and is acceptable.

Financial insecurity has also been said to be a factor. The role of a man has been established as that of a leader and a provider and in some cases where a man fails to establish his authority in these areas, he ends up resorting to physical abuse.

Alcohol and drugs have also led many men, unfortunately, into violence against women. Cases of men coming home drunk and mercilessly beating and defiling their spouses and children have made news.

By Don King

The next article will handle the legal framework and challenges on SGBV.

 

Defaulting TB medication puts you & your loved ones at risk

Jedida(blue tshirt, second right) and her family  when we made contact tracing at he house.

Jedida Atieno lives a modest life in Malunga village, Siaya County with her husband and seven children. The grass thatched house is evidently too crowded for the children- the eldest 8 and youngest 4 years old.  She and her husband are subsistence farmers.
In 2013, Jedida started feeling unwell a little more often. The persistent cough and night sweat continued even after buying over the counter medication for a while. She still experienced the on and off signs prompting her to seek further medical attention.
In June, she went to Siaya County Hospital where a sputum test turned positive for TB. She was then put on medication which was to run for six months. However, she defaulted having taken her medication for June, July, and August.
She had gone to a funeral and had overstayed for two months failing to take her medication as prescribed.
In December, Jedida gathered courage and went to Ngiya Mission Hospital where a sputum microscopy was done same for HIV test. Both tests turned positive.
She was initiated to second line treatment of TB from the month of December to August 2014. During this period Jedida  became pregnant.

When the baby was born she was started on isoniazid prophylaxis for six months to prevent her from getting TB from the mother.
The child kept on getting sick with persistent fever, night sweats and did not respond to Paracetamol. The little girl was frequently admitted to Siaya County Hospital between the months of June and September continuously losing weight.
Luckily in November, a Community Health Worker (TB agent) working in the KMET TB reach program visited Jedida’s house where she revealed her predicament. She told the CHW about the babies’ situation.

When the KMET Tb reach team visited the area the CHW led them to Jedida’s residence. From there they made an assessment for the child recommending contact tracing for the husband and the children. The child was then taken to the paedtrics at Ngiya Mission Hospital where she scored nine above the normal range that is seven on the Paedtrics TB score chart.
She was immediately put on TB treatment. With time her condition has improved, she has gained weight, the fever has subsided and she is now active like any other child at her age.

“Thank you KMET for coming to my aide, my condition is getting better. I would like to advice others they need to adhere to medication so as to fight the disease” Jedida says.

In 2005, its estimated 7.6 per cent of patients in Kenya defaulted from TB treatment.

Bridging the gap of unmet contraceptive needs and cancer screening among HIV-infected women

Joshua Adhola, a Huduma Poa demand creation officer offers a health talk at Osani Heallth Centre during an event day.

“Three years ago, Kenya was ranked the fourth country with the highest HIV epidemic in the world. Although HIV prevalence among the general population has fallen in Kenya, women continue to be disproportionately affected by the epidemic.

Homa Bay County where I work as a Demand Creation Officer records the highest HIV incidence rate in the country with a prevalence rate of 27.1 percent compared to the national average of 5.6 percent according to the 2012 Kenya Aids Indicator Survey Report (KAIS).

The survey also indicates that 6.9 percent of women were living with HIV compared with 4.2 percent of men. With these facts in mind, most health interventions in the county therefore focus on reducing the prevalence rate.

Located in Ndhiwa Sub County, approximately 45 kilometers from Homa bay town is Osani Community Health Centre which is one of the health facilities in the County that offer comprehensive care to HIV clients.

Client queue to receive health services at Osani Community Hospital

Being a member of the Huduma Poa social franchise some of the other core services offered at the facility include family planning; HIV Testing and Counseling; and Prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV.

The nurse in charge of the facility acknowledges that since they joined the franchise in 2012, clients accessing family planning services have been on a steady rise which she attributed to the Huduma Poa event days.

Despite the gains, there had been a forgotten group in provision of family planning and cervical cancer screening services. Initially the facility attended to HIV positive client who are on care and treatment without any deliberate attempt to directly involve them in the activities of the event days.

Conversely during the last quarter (October –December, 2014), clients from the HIV care and treatment centre were involved in the event days that were held in the facility. The change of tact resulted to more women who are aware of their HIV status receiving implants and other contraceptives as well as cervical cancer screening.

As we get into a new year we purpose to strengthen the ‘Supermarket approach’ so that HIV care and treatment and reproductive and child health services are not seen as independent services in the facilities but mutually inter-dependent. Going by the lessons of the last quarter, attempts to deliberately target known positives should be scaled up.

This will be in tandem with Kenya Aids Indicator Survey Report (2012) which recommends that, efforts should be directed at further reducing the unmet need for family planning, with a focus on HIV-infected women and that there is need to scale up cervical cancer screening in women of reproductive age— among both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected.

By Joshua Adhola, Demand Creation Officer, KMET