Samburu HIV patients appeal for food aid

The county official noted there was need for decisions to be made as fast as possible to prevent more deaths from starvation and malnutrition PHOTO: COURTESY

HIV patients have appealed for relief food, saying famine in the region had affected their therapy.

A local hospital has offered to give them food supplements.

Recently, a group of HIV patients stormed the office of Health Executive Mary Ekai and threatened to abandon anti-retroviral drugs.

Ms Ekai said one child had died in Samburu as a result of malnutrition caused by the ongoing famine in the county.

"The worst affected are those living with HIV, women and children," said a resident.

The county official noted there was need for decisions to be made as fast as possible to prevent more deaths from starvation and malnutrition.

"According to a survey, three out of 10 children are facing malnutrition and the situation is expected to worsen because schools have closed yet many children depend on meals offered by learning institutions," said Ekai.

She said feeding centres will soon be set up in various towns to assist children below the age of five.