The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention global offices (USA, Botswana and Kenya) visited Makongeni Sub-County Hospital in Homa Bay County for a learning expedition on integrating Key Populations HIV prevention services within the Ministry of Health (MOH) mainstream health care services.

Makongeni Sub-County Hospital is among the first government-owned facility in Kenya to integrate stand-alone Key Populations Drop-in Centers (DiCES) as part of the expanded scope and quality of health care services for key populations.

Drop-in Centers (also known as “safe spaces”) provide key populations with a comfortable environment to relax, rest, get information, receive critical health services, and interact with each other and with healthcare staff offering HIV prevention, care and treatment services.

During the visit, the staff were taken through the client flow chart and how the various service delivery points synergize to ensure that Key Populations access services without fear of stigma and discrimination.

They commended the good progress that the facility staff and project staff have achieved in ensuring the integration happens. Before the integration of DiCE services, the hospital had supported 1,311 Female Sex Workers (FSWs), 649 Men who have Sex with Men (MSMs), 40 People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) and 792 Fisher folks.

LVCT Vukisha95 Project Director Dr Michael Audo noted that the integration model is a first step in ensuring the sustainability of Key Populations HIV prevention and treatment interventions in the County and beyond.

As part of the journey to self-reliance, the project is leveraging on the cordial relationship it has had with the Ministry of Health and the County government to transition to other sustainable service delivery models.

LVCT Health, through the Vukisha95 Project, is supporting Homa Bay and Kisii counties to implement sustainable, high-quality, comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment services towards the achievement of 95-95-95 global targets and HIV epidemic control.

The project is made possible with funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC in Kenya).