Nyeri, Kenya: First lady Margaret Kenyatta has urged health stakeholders to focus more efforts on programs and strategies that dissuade youth from risky behaviours.
The First Lady said the war against HIV and Aids cannot be won unless the problem of alcohol and substance abuse among young adults was adequately addressed.
She spoke at Chaka trading centre when she presented the 17th “Beyond Zero” fully equipped mobile clinic to Nyeri County government.
The First Lady said measures that halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus among the youthful generation need to be enhanced.
“We need to scale up HIV testing, counselling and reduce the risk for those who test negative and link those who test positive to care and treatment programmes,’ she said.
The First Lady added, “By the end of 2013, there were 20,797 people living with HIV in Nyeri County of whom 9 per cent were children. The county also had about 1,307 new adult infections in 2013.”
She welcomed this year’s substantial budgetary allocation for better health services by the Nyeri County Government.
“These funds will complement the free maternal health services already being offered in Government hospitals, and equip the fully kitted mobile clinic that I am delivering here today,” she added.
The First Lady said the rapid development of the county coupled with increased urbanization brings socio-economic and health challenges including communicable diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
The challenges, she said, need to be anticipated, planned for and mitigated.
The First Lady appreciated the great milestones achieved by ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign last year through innumerable and vital lessons learnt on the health challenges and needs of Kenyans, some of whom have to travel long distances to reach medical care.
“With the support of many philanthropic Kenyans, we were able to reach some of the remotest parts of the country with much needed medical services for our mothers and children,” she added.
The First Lady thanked Kenyans for their steady support to better health care for mothers and children and urged them to participate fully in this year’s First Lady’s half marathon to raise funds to purchase more mobile medical clinics.
She said, “I wish to take this early opportunity to invite you to register for the First Lady's Half Marathon which will take place on 8th of March.”
The First lady is also in Nyeri to continue with her high altitude training in readiness for the 2nd edition of the First Lady’s Nairobi half-marathon.
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Adding, “We embarked on a promising journey- a journey whose end is better health care for our mothers and children throughout the country.”
Area MP Kanini Kega stressed the need for national and county governments to work together so as to deliver on the country’s transformative agenda.
Nyeri Deputy Governor Amb. Samuel Wamathai commended the First Lady for her noble campaign, which he said has a transformative effect on health care in the country.
Others who spoke included Othaya MP Mary wambui and the Director of Medical Services Dr Nicholas Muraguri.
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