Unicef on Saturday unveiled a new plan to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/Aids.
While launching the plan in Kisumu, the fund’s executive director Antony Lake said it involved providing drugs to mothers diagnosed with HIV.
The programme will be rolled out in four other countries in African. In Kenya, Kisumu, Kisii, Eldoret and Nakuru have been selected.
Mr Lake said a pack of the drugs costs Sh6,700.
Nyanza provincial medical officer Dr Ojuang Lusi said despite the work to control mother-to-child transmission of HIV, not much had been achieved hence a shift in strategy was welcome.
He said that the packaging of the drugs for mothers to use at home would increase their chances of taking it as some avoid hospitals and health centres soon after being diagnosed with HIV.
“The rate of mother-to-child transmission is 37 per cent. Despite the availability of methods to halt infections of children at birth, there is little change. We need to change the ball game,” Dr Lusi said.
While HIV/Aids prevalence rate has been on a steady decline in Kenya, 22,000 children are infected with HIV annually through mother-to-child transmission.
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Read further coverage of UNICEF's plan from the Kaiser Family Foundation
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