Siaya partners with global initiative to curb mother-to-child HIV transmission
Nyanza
By
Isaiah Gwengi
| Apr 23, 2026
The County Government of Siaya County has partnered with Mildmay International through its “Lean on Me” initiative to strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2027.
The collaboration, spearheaded by the county’s Department of Health, seeks to scale up prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services through community-led approaches targeting HIV and tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment and care.
Health officials say the initiative will also address gender-related barriers that limit access to healthcare, while promoting reproductive health rights among adolescent girls, young women and mothers.
The programme further aims to strengthen community systems by leveraging peer educators and individuals with lived experiences to drive awareness and uptake of services.
READ MORE
Families feel the pinch as war-hit diaspora remittances shrink
Mbadi names Adan Mohamed as new KRA chief
Kenya to host green hydrogen symposium as country positions for the global stage
Kingdom Bank deepens MSME push with Industrial Area branch
Court declines to lift orders blocking Safaricom sale as Vodafone loses bid to exit case
Kenya blockchain industry urges faster stablecoin adoption amid new digital asset rules
Activist files petition to block fuel price hike, seeks conservatory orders
Government launches construction of 114 solar mini grids in 14 counties
Kenya's cybersecurity skills gap persists despite training efforts
Ruto's budget limbo deepens as IMF digs in on bailout conditions
The partnership aligns with Kenya’s broader commitment to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Under the programme, the county will implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and ensure accountability as it works toward the 2027 elimination target.
Speaking during the programme’s rollout, County PMTCT Coordinator Zilper Imbuye underscored the importance of early HIV testing among expectant mothers.
She warned that failure to achieve at least a 90 per cent testing rate during the first antenatal care visit could derail efforts to eliminate new infections among infants.
Imbuye revealed that at least 300 pregnant women in the county were not tested for HIV during their pregnancies, raising concerns over the risk of undetected transmission to newborns.
She urged couples to take initiative and request HIV testing during antenatal visits, noting that early detection and treatment remain critical in ensuring HIV-free births.
Stakeholders were also challenged to take greater responsibility in labour and delivery units to ensure that no child is exposed to preventable infection at birth.