Aids-related deaths in Kenya have dropped by about 55 per cent from 60,000 in the last nine years to 28,000 last year according to the World Aids Report 2019 released on Wednesday.

Additionally, new infections reduced by 51 per cent over the same period from 100,000 in 2013 to 49,000 currently.

The country’s HIV and Aids prevalence was at 4.9 per cent with 1.8 per cent (52,767) being new infections.

The report released at Garissa Road Primary School in Thika town by Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, also showed the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage had improved with 1.2 million people on treatment.

They will help in the Level one’s in psycho-social support and will become the first point of contact in treatment.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winfred Byanyima, said women between 15-24 years are the most vulnerable, with statistics showing that more than 6,000 women within that age are being infected with HIV every week, the status is high in Africa.

She said efforts must be made to safeguard the interests and rights of girls and women such as rape, violence and gender inequality,

She added that millions of women can’t access healthy sex precautions like condoms or contraceptives, unlike their male counterparts.

“A girl’s first experience with sex is violent, forceful, that’s the reality. Chances of infections that time are high. Poverty amongst women also contributes to the high prevalence,” she said.

Acting Kiambu Governor James Nyoro said the HIV incidence in Kiambu was among the highest in the country at 4.5 per cent, with youths aged between 15 and 24 bearing the bigger percentage.

He said the community health volunteers will help in sensitizing residents and easing access to sex education. – Kna