Kenya could move closer to a more connected healthcare system by bringing HIV prevention, treatment and care into the wider health system, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has said.
Oluga said integrating HIV services with other essential healthcare would allow patients to receive a wider range of care through existing health facilities as the country pushes ahead with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and stronger primary healthcare.
The PS made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) at Afya Annex in Nairobi, where he reviewed the programme’s operations, assessed service delivery and met staff involved in coordinating the country’s response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Oluga was received by NASCOP Head Dr Andrew Mulwa, who briefed him on the programme’s main areas of work and introduced him to its technical and support teams.
The PS highlighted NASCOP’s role in coordinating Kenya’s national HIV and STI response, providing technical guidance and supporting prevention, treatment and care programmes.
“Closer integration would enable clients to access HIV services alongside other essential healthcare services.”
The proposed approach would place HIV services closer to other healthcare interventions, helping reduce the separation between specialised programmes and the wider health system.
Oluga said the move would support the government’s broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and improve progress towards UHC by making healthcare more connected and comprehensive.
During the visit, he also held discussions with NASCOP staff on their duties, operational needs and contribution to the country’s health agenda. The engagement gave the PS an opportunity to assess the programme’s working environment, understand challenges affecting its operations and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
Oluga commended NASCOP employees for their commitment to the national HIV response and reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s support for its workforce.
He also stressed the need for stronger cooperation among health programmes and institutions, saying closer coordination would help improve the delivery of healthcare services.
NASCOP continues to coordinate key areas of Kenya’s response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections, including prevention, treatment and care. The programme also provides technical guidance to healthcare providers and other stakeholders involved in the response.
The visit was part of Oluga’s working tour of specialised health institutions and programmes under the Ministry of Health, with the NASCOP engagement serving as the final stop.
During the tour, the PS reviewed programme operations and interacted with personnel involved in supporting the national HIV and STI response.
The Ministry has been working to strengthen primary healthcare as part of efforts to make essential medical services more accessible and comprehensive.
Under the proposed integration, patients would be able to receive HIV-related services alongside other essential healthcare interventions, bringing specialised care closer to the wider health system.
Oluga’s call places greater focus on linking HIV care with other health services as Kenya continues its efforts towards UHC. The approach is also aimed at improving cooperation between health programmes and institutions while supporting more efficient service delivery.
The PS used his engagement with NASCOP to gain a better understanding of the programme’s operational challenges and the support staff need to effectively perform their duties.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to improving coordination across its programmes and institutions and supporting personnel involved in Kenya’s HIV response.
The visit comes as primary healthcare and UHC remain central to government efforts to improve access to essential medical services.
Oluga’s push for integration reflects the ministry’s wider focus on delivering specialised services through a more coordinated health system while maintaining support for programmes involved in the prevention, treatment and care of HIV and sexually transmitted infections