HIV/Aids remains top killer disease, says NACC

By Gatonye Gathura

Kenya: Malaria has been identified as the number one killer disease in the country. This is according to the national economic survey released by the Government this week.

However, this contradicts another report released on Monday by the National Aids Control Council (NACC) that ranks HIV/Aids as the top killer disease.

Launching the report, NACC Acting Director John Kamigwi said HIV/Aids killed 49,126 people last year.

The Government report released by the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Ann Waiguru on Tuesday lists Aids as the fourth biggest killer, way far after malaria, pneumonia and cancers. Last year, according to the report, it killed 11,500 people, and the report further suggests that the Government needs to relook its emphasis on HIV/Aids and cancer, as they are also identified among the leading killer diseases. 

HIV/Aids experts including Dr William Maina, formerly head of the National Aids and STDs Control Programme argue that many people who may have been indicated to die of pneumonia or TB may have actually succumbed to Aids complications

The Government survey, however, indicates that despite malaria being the top killer, it is on a steady decline.  

According to the Cabinet Secretary for Heath James Macharia, the decline in malaria deaths is due to increased investment in malaria that has seen a rise in the use of bed nets, indoor residual sprays and prompt testing and treatment of cases. He, however, says the threat still remains and more efforts are required.

The money spent by the Government on malaria has been insignificant with the bulk coming from the Global Fund, United Nations and Sh12 billion annually from the US government.

More significant is the wide discrepancy in Aids figures between those in the current economic survey and others presented in various Government documents. The latter have consistently shown Aids to be the top killer for more than two decades.