Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
2 December 2008
Mombasa — The government has launched a campaign to ensure 80 per cent of Kenyans know their HIV status by 2010.
Statistics show that two-thirds of Kenyans have no idea of their status. The Ministry of Public Health will spearhead the initiative, known as Total War Against Aids (TOWA).
At celebrations to mark the World Aids Day celebrations in Nairobi on Monday, UN Resident Coordinator Aeneas Chuma efforts to raise awareness of the pandemic are not enough "because still less than 20 per cent of HIV-positive Kenyans know their status." Chuma said that the UN plans to lead the way in advocating for rapid testing acceleration.
US envoy Michael Ranneberger said Congress has approved another five years of the US President's Emergency Plan Fund for Aids Relief funding to Kenya. "Kenyans can be assured of continued support towards the fight against HIV/Aids," he added.
The Catholic Church in Kenya also calls for increased voluntary testing for HIV. In its national policy published two years ago, the church "encourages all who harbour doubt about their status to get tested. This is always a courageous decision. It means facing the truth about one's responsibility, one's past actions and one's mortality."
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