HIV/AIDS Policy

Abstract

This revised HIV/AIDS policy underscores the role of Moi University in supporting Government efforts to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and outlines preventive, treatment, care and support strategies. There are anecdotal reports that PLWHA in the University may face discrimination and stigmatization and may have limited access to appropriate care. However, The increased awareness of HIV & AIDS related issues among the university Community has resulted in a substantial increase in the demand for services in the health units. Globally, since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 60 million people have contracted HIV. Further, over 33.4 million people are currently estimated to be living with HIV and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes (UNAIDS, 2011). The statistics are grim when disaggregated by world regions, sex and age, with sub- Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of the burden, especially among women and young adults. Kenya has a severe generated HIV epidemic, but recent years the country recorded notable decline in HIV prevalence, attributed in part to significant behavioural change and increased access to National adult HIV prevalence is estimated to have fallen from 10 percent in the 1990s about 6.1 percent in 2010 (KDHS, 2010). This revised policy outlines two broad objectives that Moi University shall pursue in addressing HIV/AIDS: To ensure prevention for the uninfected and to provide treatment, care and support to the infected and affected. The main policy components include: rights and responsibilities of staff and students; mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in teaching, administrative and support services, research and extension services; mainstreaming prevention, care, support, treatment and counselling; and establishment of a rape crisis centre. The University shall apply innovative approaches including institutionalizing community-based surveillance and referral system, mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in curricula, research and extension services; strengthening partnerships with the media, law enforcement groups; broadening the continuum of care and treatment services to all staff, students and community. MUHACU Board operating under the chairmanship of Deputy Vice Chancellor (A, R&E) is being strengthened to guide the implementation of this revised policy.