Since the discovery and spread of Covid-10 pandemic, life has never been the same. The social fabric of life, economic, religious, and cultural life has been disrupted globally. In Kenya, like in other African countries, the infection has spread into the community mostly in urban centers. With our health care system is not strong enough to handle the pandemic in an event that there is a full blown widespread community infection.
Among all the urban centers in Kenya, Nairobi is the most affected followed by Mombasa. As at the time of writing this report (June 21, 2020), Kenya has tested a total number of 136,361. The total number of confirmed cases is 4,478. 1,586 patients have recovered while the country has reported 121 deaths. Out of the total 4,478 cases reported, almost 50% (2135) are from Nairobi while Mombasa has reported 1,230 cases. To curb the spread of the infection from Nairobi and Mombasa to other parts of the country, the government enforced a partial lockdown of both cities. Nobody is allowed to leave or enter Mombasa and Nairobi unless they are essential service providers. These measures definitely came with consequences including loss of both formal and informal employments. Most can’t afford basic needs, some cannot pay rent.
The informal urban settlements are creating a big challenge in control the spread of Covid-19. They lack all the basic necessities used in controlling the spread of the virus. Kibera is one such informal settlement in Nairobi. Being the largest informal settlement in the whole East and Central Africa with a population of over 200,000 people, it poses the single biggest challenge in the war against Covid-19. Its infrastructure is informal to the extent the government is in dilemma on how to compel the residents to adhere to the prescribed guidelines in controlling the spread of Covid-19. Kibera do not have regular supply of clean and safe water for domestic use, they are unable to keep social distance and most of them cannot afford the face masks. The informal settlement in Kibera poses a lot of health risks to the residents especially infectious diseases. This is mostly attributed to high poverty levels in the region. some of these diseases include respiratory, diarrheal and skin infections and HIV infection.
People who have comorbidities to Covid-19 are at higher risk of developing severe form of Covid-19. Fatalities have been reported in most of the people exposed to covid-19 while having other conditions. HIV infected people are at higher risk of developing severe form of covid-19 which are likely to lead to death. This is attributed to the fact that their immunity is already compromised and their income status do not permit them the luxury of affording the basic requirements. In addition to lacking the necessary requirements to fight the covid-19, the PLWHIV are not able to afford the basic needs including food, water, sanitation supplies and access to health facilities. the focus has been on the covid-19 at the expense of other serious and chronic diseases. This has the potential to the surge in the spread of other diseases including the spread of HIV infection
With PLWHV seemingly at risk of further consequences of covid-19, the Seventh Day Adventist church through the Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM), East Kenya Union Conference (EKUC), Health Ministries department and Kibera SDA church mobilized resources to meet one-off needs of people living with HIV in Kibera informal settlement. The main focus was to distribute foodstuffs and face masks to the beneficiaries. AAIM provided most of the funding for the mobilization and purchase of the foodstuffs and face masks. The Health Ministries department of EKUC provided funds for logistics and mobilization. The Pastor, church elders, deacons and members of Kibera SDA church helped in identifying the potential beneficiaries of the food distribution. The local church also was also responsible for the procurement of foodstuffs and the reusable face masks. The beneficiaries were both SDA and non SDA members
On June 14, 2020, all the beneficiaries were gathered at the Kibera SDA church compound for the distribution of the foodstuffs and the face masks. The local church Pastor gave a devotion before the items were distributed. After short speeches the elders and deacons of the church distributed the foods and the face masks to the beneficiaries. Each assorted bag of foods included 2kg maize floor, 1kg beans, 1kg green grams, 1kg sugar, 2kg wheat flour and 1kg of rice. We observed all the recommended protocols during the 30-minute activity to minimize the risks of infection. We distributed the food items to 150 beneficiaries
After the food distribution, all registered support groups handed their contacts to me for further and future engagements
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APPRECIATION BY THE BENEFICIARIES
The beneficiaries of the items distribution really thanked God for them being remembered during this period of Covid-19. Both the SDA and non SDA members unanimously recognized the Seventh Day Adventist church for taking care of them during these hard times of Covid-19 pandemic
CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD
The need and demand to address the food and other requirements for people who are infected with HIV virus in the informal settlements in Nairobi are overwhelming. We could only afford to feed 150 beneficiaries out of more than 4000 potential beneficiaries in Kibera alone in Nairobi. The presentation of registration documents for support groups to my office brings in new challenges on how to provide sustainable support to these groups. I know that the money allocated to my department for program implemented per one year is not enough to support these groups. I will have to solicit support of partners to help address the needs of these vulnerable groups.
APPRECIATION TO ADVENTIST AIDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
On behalf of the PLWHV, Kibera SDA church and East Kenya Union Conference, the office of the Health Ministries and HIV/AIDS department would like to register very humble and candid appreciation to Dr. Alexis Llaguno, the Director of AAIM, for his kind heart. We in EKUC have experienced the love of God manifested to His servants in this territory through your Ministry. This love has not been manifested only during this Covid-19 period, but throughout this quinquennium. We in EKUC pray that your Ministry be blessed and be able to mobilize more resources to address the needs of the vulnerable in the society.
We look forward to continue working with your Ministry to address the needs of the vulnerable in Kenya.
May the Love of God be with you as you continue to serve in His vineyard. Amen!