Caregivers Come Together: HIV-positive Health Workers Form New Network in Kenya

This four-page brief, published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Health Policy Initiative, looks at HIV vulnerability among health workers and discusses a new network formed by and for HIV-positive health workers in Kenya, the National HIV/AIDS Health Workers Network. The brief argues that, although they are the ones delivering HIV-related services and treatments, health workers are often reluctant to seek these services themselves. The brief also notes that there have been few HIV prevention, treatment, or support services designed specifically for healthcare workers in Kenya, and points to the National HIV/AIDS Health Workers Network as a success story in addressing this gap.

According to the brief, the network's mission is to act as an advocate for all health workers living with or affected by HIV, helping to reduce stigma and discrimination, increase their visibility, and expand access to treatment, care, and support services. The Health Policy Initiative provided training in treatment literacy, advocacy, palliative care, and monitoring and evaluation to network members, some of whom have also participated in several radio programmes focusing on the network's launch, its mission, vision and activities, and the need to reduce stigma and discrimination in the health sector. The network assists psychosocial support groups at local hospitals and has grown from an original core of 49 members to more than 300 from almost all regions of Kenya.