APRIL 2006 — To increase critically needed private sector involvement in AIDS care, FHI has formed a new partnership with the Kenya Medical Association. With USAID and PEPFAR funding, this partnership supports a network of private providers to deliver HIV care under the brand name Gold Star Network.

 

The network complements the national subsidized services by treating those able to pay, effectively reducing the burden on government HIV/AIDS services. Network members gain access to HIV test-kits, medicines and quality antiretroviral drugs (branded and generic) at low prices, reflecting significant member discounts. A nationally recognized reference laboratory provides CD4, CD8 and viral load tests at negotiated rates to Gold Star Network members. An initial 100 private practitioners are undergoing training in ART and HIV care; this network will be enlarged to cover most urban practitioners.

 

Training for the providers is conducted at the public health facilities and discussions are under way to ensure public sector ART drugs are distributed to Gold Star Network members. FHI and KMA provide technical assistance to the Gold Star Network members to ensure standard operating procedures are maintained, continuing medical education provides the latest HIV treatment information, data collection is centrally managed, and a mentorship system for physicians is provided to start-up high quality services. The Ministry of Health will provide oversight in terms of standards.

 

There is unexploited potential in the private sector for delivery of ART. Less than 20% of clients on treatment in Kenya are managed by the private sector, yet for most people this is the preferred point of health service due to confidentiality, personalized services and convenience. If Kenya is to meet its target for universal access to treatment, emphasis has to be placed on public private partnerships. The Gold Star Network is expected to ease pressure from the over-stretched public health system in Kenya.