Pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV, along with their infants, will soon benefit from a new Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) pilot at Huruma Sub County Hospital.

This program will help ensure that quality and efficiency in HIV care are enhanced through the provision of tailored services to already established clients in treatment, with additional support for those not yet consistently engaged in their treatment.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the University of Indiana, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and AMPATH, the Clinical Services Chief Officer, Dr. Joyce Sang, commented on the necessity of the DSD model.

“The main aim of this pilot program at Huruma Sub County Hospital is to assess the operationalization of the DSD model for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) clients,” said Dr. Sang.

She added that the proposed program will serve as an awareness of implementation difficulties, acceptability among health providers and clients, and overall effectiveness in improving health outcomes.

Promotive and Preventive Health Chief Officer Dr. Paul Wangwe elaborated that the model has been improved with the addition of a facility-based approach within maternal and child health clinics.

“This model emphasizes the need to simplify services for clients who are already established on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), thus ensuring they receive necessary support while also catering to those needing more intensive care,” he explained.

John Humprey, a researcher from the University of Indiana, explained the importance of ensuring at least eight antenatal visits that integrate HIV services, followed by monthly postpartum visits in the first six months.

He stated, “This comprehensive care will be required to improve health and well-being for both mothers and their infants.”

The pilot at Huruma Sub County Hospital forms part of a larger initiative to strengthen maternal and child health services, including those for vulnerable populations affected by HIV.

The idea is to adapt services to client needs, lower barriers to care, increase treatment adherence and ultimately improve health outcomes for mothers and their children.