HIV negative people to get preventive drugs

The government will next month roll out a drug that will be taken by HIV Negative people who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

Head of National AIDS & STI Control Programme, Dr Martin Sirengo, says the oral drug, known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, will be taken daily by those aged 15 and above to reduce their chances of becoming infected.

Dr Sarah Masyuko, Nascop’s HIV testing and PREP Manager, says among those at high risk of contracting the virus are discordant couples, those who have multiple sexual partners, those who have been on STI treatment frequently, victims of sexual violence or those who in the course of having sex realise the condom has burst.

Kenya is the second country in Africa to embrace the programme after South Africa, with the programme also found in the United States and Britain.