Treatment centres planned for HIV babies

The Kenyan government on Tuesday announced that more centres equipped to treat HIV-positive babies and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS would soon open across the country. The local The Nation quoted central provincial medical officer, Dr. Olang'o Onudi as saying the centres would be established at all health facilities and hospitals offering maternity services. "The official government health policy calls for children under five years to be treated free of charge. The non-provision of proper health care to children amounts to rights abuse," Onudi said. Onudi added that two successful pilot projects had been started in the Nyeri and Homa Bay area in the west of the country, adding that a five year supply of HIV/AIDS drugs for the new centres had already been acquired.