Dr. Andrew Mulwa participates in a high-level global panel on paediatric HIV on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, September 21, 2026, highlighting Kenya’s progress and efforts to strengthen HIV care for children and adolescents. 
By Fredrick Kioko,
Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the fight against paediatric HIV, highlighting progress made in prevention, early diagnosis and treatment during a high-level global discussion on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Dr. Andrew Mulwa, Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), represented Kenya at the high-level panel, which brought together global health stakeholders to discuss progress in paediatric HIV care, partnerships and the remaining challenges affecting children and adolescents living with or affected by HIV.
Dr. Mulwa highlighted Kenya’s progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, expanding early infant diagnosis and increasing access to treatment among children and adolescents.
He said the country has also made progress in improving viral suppression, an important component of HIV treatment that helps people living with HIV maintain their health while reducing the risk of transmitting the virus.
Mulwa said Kenya is now moving towards a more integrated approach to healthcare as it seeks to sustain the gains made in the HIV response.
Under the approach, HIV services are being integrated into primary healthcare, maternal and child health programmes and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), while maintaining the specialised expertise and community partnerships that have supported Kenya’s HIV response over the years.
The NASCOP head emphasised the importance of protecting the progress already achieved while addressing gaps that continue to affect children and adolescents.
The discussions also focused on the changing global health financing environment and the need for countries to strengthen domestic systems and take greater ownership of their health programmes.
Kenya’s approach seeks to build sustainable health systems capable of maintaining HIV services while ensuring that children living with HIV have access to timely diagnosis, treatment and continued care.
The country is also seeking to strengthen partnerships with communities and other stakeholders as part of efforts to close the remaining gaps in paediatric HIV care.
The discussions at the UNGA come as countries continue to work towards the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Kenya says protecting existing gains, closing the paediatric HIV treatment gap, strengthening country ownership and building sustainable healthcare systems will remain key priorities in achieving that target.
