After
implementing HIV/AIDS programs in Bondo western Kenya for over a
decade, ICROSS has handed over the ICROSS HIV AIDS Comprehensive care
unit to the ministry of health. The western Kenya projects were
initially established by Danny Ngwiri (now the country director) and were handed over by William Osano. (Western Kenya Programs director).
The
ICROSS CEO said today “that this is an exciting milestone in building
long-term partnerships and networks our home care services have been
among the most original and long lasting in East Africa.
ICROSS
was implementing effective homecare years before it was common
practice. William Osano spoke at the handover of his seven years running
the program. He said “the future of HIV AIDS programs like the ICROSS
Comprehensive care unit lies in local communities and government” We at
ICROSS believe that sustainability is to move away from depending on
oversees donors. We are very grateful to the people of Ireland through
Irish AID who supported the creation of this facility.
Danny
Ngwiri thanked the many donors who made the western Kenya HIV AIDS
program such a success. The global fund together with Elizabeth Taylor
AIDS foundation, the Elton John AIDS foundation, AUSAID, Japan Embassy
in Kenya played critical roles in establishing the ICROSS AIDS program
in Bondo and Siaya in Siaya County.
The
comprehensive HIV AIDS facility will now be the headquarters of the
county’s HIV AIDS Program. Speaking from ICROSS Rural health
Headquarters’ the international director Dr. Michael Meegan said
“everyone at ICROSS is proud and excited by this program hand over which
marks the completion of an inspiring and important HIV initiative”.
ICROSS has played a crucial part in establishing comprehensive care in
Bondo, “I thank the hundreds of volunteers, donors, interns dedicated
staff as well as our partners in every village”.
Working
closely with the Ministry we have over the last decade reached many
thousands who desperately needed support and care. It is the time of
celebration that we have now handed over this facility donated by the
Irish people. On behalf of the board of directors and Dr. Joe Barnes, I
thank Irish AID for their support.
We
look forward for our next collaboration with the communities and people
of Bondo working as always closely with local and national government.
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