Health stakeholders commit to monitor and demand for accountability in implementing the right to health

From 13 February to 8 March 2018, KELIN, in collaboration with AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA) and Lwala Community Alliance conducted fifteen (15) dialogue meetings for health stakeholders in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi Counties (County dialogue forums). The dialogue meetings which focused on the advocacy gaps, challenges and opportunities for HIV, Reproductive Health and TB prevention, care and treatment were grounded on the ARASA supported National HIV, TB and Human Rights Training Programme in Kenya.

In each County, the dialogues were attended by various groups including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, communities of persons living with and affected by HIV, Key population groups, Kenya Police, community based organizations, NGOs, media and local administration. The challenges highlighted across these forums included: lack of supportive pre and post-test counseling, lack of access to justice for defilement victims, and high treatment default rates among adolescents in boarding secondary schools due to HIV related stigma.

During these dialogues, participants shared knowledge and experiences on some of the issues affecting realization of the right to health and justice, and other human rights violations. Participants made recommendations for proposed actions on the above stated challenges. They also committed to advocate for the right to health to ensure accessible, available and quality health services in their communities. With the assistance of its Community Health Advocates, KELIN will follow up on the participants’ recommendations made during the dialogues.

To contribute to the discussion and for live updates follow KELIN on our social media platforms using the hash tag #HIVTBRights

Twitter: @KELINkenya

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya

 

For more information contact:
Lucy Ghati

Programme Manager, HIV & TB

Mombasa Road, Somak building 4th Floor

P O Box 112 – 00200 KNH Nrb,

Tel: 020, 2515790 │Mobile: 0790 487473, 0722 747382

E-mail: lghati@kelinkenya.org

Website: www.kelinkenya.org