The Kitui County Health Ministry has intensified its commitment to maternal and child health by scaling up efforts to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B through the adoption of a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach. This initiative, aligned with global strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), is spearheaded under the national Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) agenda led by NASCOP.
The CQI model is designed to identify and address the root causes of service delivery gaps within PMTCT programs. With strategic guidance from the PMTCT Technical Working Group (TWG), Kitui and other counties have developed county-specific eMTCT task force work plans. These plans are implemented in close collaboration with Technical Advisors (TAs), who are critical in guiding counties through the CQI process, monitoring progress, and ensuring alignment with national and global targets.
The broader national objective is to end AIDS in children by 2027 and eliminate vertical transmission of Hepatitis B and Syphilis by 2030.
As part of this effort, the Kitui Health Ministry is hosting a high-level technical assistance visit involving officials from NASCOP, county health teams, and TAs. The visit includes introductory meetings with the county eMTCT task force, followed by targeted technical support visits to selected high-burden facilities. The focus is particularly on non-PEPFAR-supported and private health sites—areas where significant service delivery gaps persist.
Speaking during the opening session of the engagement, Chief Officer for Public Health and Sanitation, Lynn Kitwan, reaffirmed the county’s resolve to protect children from preventable infections. “Our focus remains on underserved and high-risk populations. Through collaboration and data-driven action, we are determined to improve maternal and child health outcomes across Kitui,” she said.
The initiative is being implemented with the support of key health partners including CHAK, CIHEB, DEK, and USAID4BetterHealth, who continue to offer vital technical, operational, and logistical assistance. Their involvement has significantly bolstered Kitui County’s capacity to roll out quality health services and accelerate progress towards its eMTCT targets.
As the technical assistance visit progresses, the county hopes to build stronger systems and close remaining gaps, bringing it closer to achieving a generation free from HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
