Key programmes
Improving healthcare links within Kenyan communities
It’s a major breakthrough, whereby the people themselves are saying, “Look here. We are not going to sit here and be passive recipients of care, but we are going to contribute, we are going to participate 
Daraus Bukenya, AMREF
As HIV treatment becomes more available in countries of high prevalence it is clear there are many barriers to access that cannot be removed immediately. Stigma and the fear of discrimination prevent some people from coming forward for testing and diagnosis.
A lack of understanding of the treatment and how it works leads others to interrupt or break off their therapy. For some expectant mothers the combination of cultural norms and lack of information discourages their use of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission services (PMTCT).
The programmein Kenya, called Zingatia Maisha (Live Positively), helps the medical establishment and communties to create better services and improved adherence to treatments.
Positive Action is promoting greater involvement of communities affected by AIDS in their healthcare services. This initiative is a new partnership between Positive Action and the Kenyan Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, the African Medical and Research Foundation and the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Based on the success of existing clinics that link outreach workers and patient groups to clinical services, the project aims to replicate this model throughout Kenya. Over three years, the partners will work with some 40 clinical sites and their communities to improve the quality of and access to healthcare services.
Akeyo’s story:
Akeyo and her family are HIV positive but would not attend the health centre for fear of being recognised. They were also treated badly by health workers. With Positive Action’s support, access to HIV services is improving by getting communities to work with the health services. Now, Akeyo and her family are part of a support group that gives them confidence about their status and also improves health workers’ understanding of their situation and the many others like them.
Back to top
