KELIN in collaboration with the Kenya Paediatric Association with support from AIDS Fonds conducted a health care workers’ training from 25th to 27th February. The training, which took place in Nakuru, endeavored to enhance the healthcare workers’ knowledge and understanding on the link between HIV, Human Rights and the Law.
The 26 health care workers from Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties got an opportunity to share their experiences in promoting a human rights based approach to HIV related services within the health care institutions. The key challenge noted was the lack of awareness on the laws and policies, more so the provisions of the Constitution on human rights. The participants also cited understaffing and lack of essential medical supplies as key obstacles to the promotion of human rights in service delivery to PLHIV and key populations.
Participants had an interactive session with the representatives of key and affected populations, these included, sex workers, PLHI V who shared the challenges they face in accessing the right to health. The health care workers committed to working together with the KELIN’s pool of probono lawyers from Nakuru and Uasin Gishu in order to promote access to justice by PLHIV and key populations and reduce the high level of HIV prevalence within Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties.
Speaking during the training, Mr. Ambrose Rachier, the Chairperson of KELIN’s board, emphasized the need to respect the privacy and confidentiality rights of PLHIV, as enshrined in the Constitution and the HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Act, as this is key to enhancing the human rights based approach in service delivery within the health institutions.
In concluding the training, the health care workers also committed to partner with KELIN to conduct more sensitization forums at the hospitals and advocate for access to pediatric ARVs among children because there is a major challenge in the full enjoyment on the right to access medicine by children living with HIV.
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A very resourceful and empowering training and very relevant to my field. We must upheld Human Rights at all times. Am currently sensitizing my colleagues on the same. This is an eye opener, change starts with us. Thanks KELIN.
Khalid thank you for your comment. We are glad to learn that you already sensitizing your colleagues to instigate the change that is needed. Please update us on the number trained and if you need our support in doing so.
Honestly enough most of health workers have no idea about the law, human right especially in relation with HIV and with work that Kelin organization, I feel it is a need for more health workers to be sensitized on the same, thank you very much
Eunice we intend to reach more healthcare workers in other counties with support from our donors, with similar trainings. We however trust that you will reach out to your colleagues too to embrace a rights based approach in provision of healthcare services based on the knowledge you have received.
The training was an eye opener to many of us. I in particular i learnt many things concerning HIV human rights some of which I was earlier taking for granted. I was challenged and realised that I knew very little concerning what the law says on this issue. As we interacted with the key populations, I realized how much a negative attitude can play a very big role in increasing the stigma and hence the spread of the virus as the clients will shy of from seeking health care services. I was glad to know that there is an organization that deals with HIV human rights violation where clients with such issues can be refereed. Thanks to KELIN.
Elizabeth thank you for sharing a short testimony on how the training has changed your perception on provision of health services. Please refer any legal issues that you pick up in the course of your work that relate to HIV, we are more than happy to provide legal support.
The training was very interactive. I personally enjoyed it. I have had an opportunity to interact with the PLHIV and the pregnant mothers on human rights issues and i have began to exercise a rights based approach .
Humphrey we are glad to hear that you have begun to exercise a rights based approach while dealing with Persons Living with HIV. Please extend it to all other persons that you provide healthcare services too.