USAID-Funded LVCT Employees Sent Home, HIV/AIDS Services Stopped

The vibrant activity at the Liverpool VCT (LVCT)-Kenya office in Homa Bay has come to a standstill following U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to suspend foreign aid.

Previously, more than 20 vehicles would be seen navigating the dusty roads of Homa Bay, transporting workers to provide crucial HIV services across the county’s hospitals. Now, these vehicles sit idle, and the once bustling office at Junction Kodoyo along the Homa Bay-Rongo road is eerily quiet.

LVCT Kenya, supported by USAID, has been instrumental in managing HIV intervention and prevention programs, including voluntary testing and counseling.

However, with the cessation of U.S. funding, all activities have been suspended, leaving the organization’s workforce in limbo, merely checking in for updates on their employment status.

Vehicles parked outside Liverpool and Path offices in Homa Bay Town, after the US government withdrew its support for USAID-funded programmes. Staff at the offices were asked not to report to work.

The impact of this funding halt extends beyond LVCT. Path, another organization sharing the same premises, has also been forced to send its staff home.

The ripple effect has touched public health services as well. Homa Bay’s Health Chief Officer, Kevin Osuri, issued a memo on January 31, directing USAID-funded staff in public hospitals to cease operations.

This memo, also sent to Governor Gladys Wanga and the county public service board, underscored the legal obligation to comply with the U.S. executive order.

“Given the funding halt and the subsequent stop work directive, we are enforcing the suspension of work activities,” Dr. Osuri stated in his memo. He directed all affected staff to hand over their duties, potentially leading to gaps in service delivery.

The absence of LVCT’s support has notably affected services at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital. HIV testing and counseling booths are now closed, with services limited to specific demographics like pregnant women.

Moreover, the viral-load testing program, which relied on mobile teams to collect and analyze samples, has ground to a halt.

Several USAID-backed initiatives like Nuru Ya Mtoto, aimed at protecting children and adolescents from HIV, and LVCT Vukisha 95, which focused on comprehensive HIV care, have been among the hardest hit. These programs were pivotal in reducing HIV infections among vulnerable groups.

Dr. Osuri acknowledged the broad impact on health services, including the withdrawal of support in areas like digital medical records. In response, the county health department has initiated contingency plans to integrate services, ensuring patients, particularly those with HIV, continue to receive necessary care, albeit under less specialized conditions.

Fortunately, the county has a three-month supply of antiretroviral drugs, providing some buffer against the immediate effects of the service disruption.

Support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Homa Bay and Ndhiwa sub-counties also offers a sliver of hope, focusing on non-communicable diseases but not directly addressing the HIV service gap.

While the situation remains fluid, the suspension of U.S. aid has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Homa Bay’s fight against HIV, prompting local health officials to seek alternative solutions to maintain life-saving services.