Health stakeholders in West Pokot County have been urged to join forces in addressing three critical issues: teenage pregnancies, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), collectively termed the ‘Triple Threat.’
At a gathering held at the Horizon Resort in Kapenguria town, officials from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), Ministry of Health (MOH) West Pokot County, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), and community leaders convened to prioritize the eradication of this triple challenge.
Nelly Achokor, the Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Coordinator and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) focal person for West Pokot County emphasized the urgent need to combat the Triple Threat, particularly its impact on adolescents and young women aged between 10 and 19.
Achokor highlighted that these issues not only endanger the health and socio-economic well-being of girls and women but also infringe upon their fundamental rights, including access to education.
She stressed the significance of addressing these challenges to effectively combat AIDS as a public health concern.
Revealing concerning statistics, Achokor pointed out that teenage pregnancy rates in West Pokot County have risen to 36%, the second-highest in the nation, with a 7% increase over eight years.
Additionally, she noted that adolescents and young people contributed to 52% of all new HIV infections in the county.
A comprehensive campaign has been initiated to tackle these issues, Achokor informed, emphasizing the necessity for a holistic strategy to combat the rise of new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and GBV.
Moses Yatich, the NSDCC coordinator for Trans Nzoia and West Pokot County, emphasized the pivotal role of National Government Administration Officers and community gatekeepers in addressing the Triple Threat.
Assistant County Commissioner Ruth Wachera highlighted the link between violence against adolescent girls and young women and the heightened risk of HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases.
She urged local chiefs and health stakeholders to develop strategies to address the prevalence of violence against women and girls.
Wachera stressed the negative impact of the Triple Threat on school enrollment and performance, emphasizing the urgent need to eliminate it.
She also highlighted the association between exposure to violence and increased HIV infection risk and called for unified action from government bodies, private sector entities, NGOs, and other organizations to combat these challenges.
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