SAD NEWS TO HIV PATIENTS ON ARVs AS WORRYING DETAILS EMERGE

The ARV drugs have proven to boost the immunity of the patients and hence enable them to live for a longer time.

More adults living with HIV are defaulting on their drugs than teenagers, a trend that is worrying healthcare providers.

According to data released by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, between January and August this year, the country has recorded 67, 731 cases of antiretroviral defaulters, with adults aged 25 years and above leading with 47,672 cases.

The category of 20 to 24 years has registered 6,711 defaulters, while the newborn to four years group has recorded 3,090 cases.

The five to nine years group has 2,468 defaulters, with teenagers between 15 and 19 years record.

The ages 10 to 14 group recorded the lowest number of defaulters, with 1,674. However, the number is still worrying experts.

Defaulters are defined as clients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with a missed appointment of more than 30 days.

The data reported and captured through the electronic medical records covered 81 percent of the total number of clients on ART.

As at August 2022, 1,287,331 Kenyans were on ART.

According to the data, Nairobi county is leading in the number of defaulters with 9,668 followed by Kakamega 6,793, Migori 5,410, Kisumu 3,378, Mombasa 2,941, Uasin Gishu 2,676, Busia 2,554, Homa Bay 2,326, Nakuru 2,194.

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