Trans Nzoia County has a registered total number of 28,962 people living with HIV/AIDs, and a prevalence rate of 4.3%. Speaking at Saboti center during the World AIDs Day on Sunday, Trans Nzoia Health CEC Claire Wanyama said the high prevalence rate can be attributed to among other causes the inability of pregnant mothers to seek medical help in clinics during pregnancy and failure to give birth in hospitals.
She said other causes may include the cases where teenagers are defiled by perpetrators who are HIV positive. Her sentiments were echoed by the Trans Nzoia County AIDS and STI co-coordinator Joyce Laktambai. The Health CEC urged the provincial administration to take stern action against the perpetrators who defile young girls, saying they aren’t needed in the society. She urged pregnant women to visit health centres in order to get check ups and medical advice and for those who are infected to get counseling and receive drugs that will help them.
On her part, the co-coordinator Joyce Laktambai appealed to leaders in the County and national assemblies to pass Bills that will help those who are HIV positive to get involved in various development projects that can help them economically.
Several residents who are HIV positive expressed optimism, outlining the lives they’ve lived desPite the challenges, “I was infected some 15 years ago and I’m still strong despite the fact that several people didn’t believe back then the disease can be managed when one observes a proper lifestyle,” said Meshack Wakwabubi. He appealed to those who are infected never to shy away from visiting health facilities for health checkups and advised them to observe the correct diet all the time. He further urged the public not to deride those who are HIV positive, but should show them love.