Policy makers in the region are mulling several measures, including voluntary male circumcision, antiretroviral therapy, sustained behaviour change and condom distribution to fight HIV and other STIs. This follows a report by the World Health Organisation that said Kenya has fourth highest HIV prevalence in the world with 1.6 million infected with the deadly virus. South Africa, with a prevalence of 5.6 million, leads the pack of bad news ahead of Nigeria (3.3 million) and India (2.4 million). An estimated 191,840 of the people living with HIV in Kenya are children. A new report, “The National HIV and Aids Estimates,” says, there are at least 100,000 new infections in Kenya annually. Kenya will need about Sh1.75 trillion by 2030 to prevent at least 1.5 million new HIV infections. With increased concerns of poor child healthcare, government has pledged to increase child health care services across the country. In an initiative seeking to establish early child care centres to help mothers get more involved in economically-viable activities after a study report by Action Aid that sampled Rwanda and Ghana indicated that most rural women spend much time of the day doing household chores such as collecting firewood, fetching water than taking care of their children. It was also stressed that such activities have no economic value. Zaina Nyiramatama, the executive secretary of National Commission for Children, said they have earmarked Rfw400 million toward setting up the centres. ActionAid has initiated a pilot project where two child care centres have been established in Kibirizi Sector in Gisagara and one in Mukingo Sector in Nyanza District. But more child care will be realised in Masaka as well. Thanks to the nutritional outreach programme by the Association of Rwandan Women journalists in a move to equip mothers with proper health management skills during 1,000 days between a womans pregnancy and the childˈs second birthday.
