Oluga urges counties to prioritise HIV prevention amid rising youth infections

When Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga assumed office after his appointment in April 2025. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

State Department for Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga has called on county governments to embed HIV prevention strategies following the increasing number of new infections among adolescents and young adults.

 Dr Oluga said nearly 6,000 new HIV infections were recorded among individuals aged 15 to 24 which is troubling.

He noted the high infection rate among teens of different age group, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies to protect vulnerable age groups.

The PS said the Ministry of Health has established a coordinated prevention mechanism at the county level, involving surveillance officers and community health promoters.

“We are working to consolidate efforts and ensure our interventions are both sustainable and resilient going forward,” he noted.

He said the recent shifts in the health sector’s funding landscape require more financing for syndemic diseases such as HIV, TB, and malaria.

Other strategies that include providing comprehensive education on HIV/Aids, fostering peer support networks, and encouraging activism will enable communities to nurture a generation of advocates committed to eradicating HIV.

The Principal Secretary spoke while officiating the opening of the Joint Annual Program Review Workshop on the Syndemic Strategic Framework, convened by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) in Naivasha.