Refugee and host communities living in Nairobi and its environs have been advised to share with others information on HIV as part of the efforts to achieve the World Aids Day’s goal of getting to Zero.
Speaking in Kayole during an event to mark the World Aids Day, Sandrine, a Burundian living with HIV, urged participants to know their status and live positively.
“Help others who are infected by HIV so that they don’t die early,” Sandrine pointed out.
She pointed out that she has lived with HIV for 9 years and has two children who are HIV negative.
Speaking at the same forum, Dr John Mbugua, a representative from the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), lamented that many people still go to private health facilities and are charged high fees for HIV related health care yet the services are provided freely in government clinics.
More than two hundred refugees living in Kayole, Kawangware, Kasarani, Kitengela and Eastleigh participated in the event that was organized by URAP (Urban Refugees Assistance Programme) of the National Council of Churches of Kenya.
URAP provides comprehensive health care services to refugees living in urban centers especially Nairobi and also handles medical referrals from Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Reproductive Health services are also provided to the refugee communities.
