The
key issues in NTV’s Sisters of Death
By
Chrispory Juma
NTV’s Sister’s of Death’s highlight on how illicit brewers in Korogocho
slums use ARVs and Fomalin to make liquors that find their way into the Kenyan
market not only exposed how porous our laws and society have become but also
put focus on policy and governance issues that touch on public health.
It brought to focus all stakeholders
engaged in the control of HIV/AIDS and exposed gaps in using ART (Anti
Retro-Viral Therapy) as a control model. It has made us, as health
professionals, begin to think of what better ways of monitoring the effective
administration of ARVs back in the homes where the people for whom they are
designed have them. It is unfortunate that, as we fight the pilferage of
illegal ARVs in the market, persons living with HIV/AIDs continue to misuse the
little ones we have. One thing for sure, as exposed, is that it is not their
wish.
A keen look at the investigative
feature informs that Kenya’s major problems may not be diseases. But the three
interlinked scourges: ignorance, unemployment and poverty. These challenges
continue to make Kenyans put money above life.
To ordinary Kenyans, food comes first, drugs come next. Infact, a hungry
stomach and drugs are never friends. Without discrimination, as the numbers
would confirm, our mothers are the most disadvantaged and therefore resort to
such illegal means, just to bring food to the table for us, their children.
This feature also ought to have
awakened Public Health Officers, tasked with safeguarding the health of Kenyans
and the laws appertaining to this responsibility. We were put to shame over how
individuals have continued to abuse The Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act
(Cap 254-Touching on the ARVs), Public Health Act (Cap 242-The dumpsites from
where the bottles are picked, the safety standards of the liquor), Pharmacy, Poisons
Act (Cap 244-On chemicals like formalin) and other laws relating to Public
Health and Sanitation.
Slums continue to pose challenges to
urban health in Kenya. Policy
makers should begin to think of how to ensure that Public Health laws are
adhered to in the expanding informal settlements because as evidenced, quality,
affordable and adequate housing for all Kenyans has become elusive for the
government to provide. As we approach 2030, and with slums becoming
increasingly difficult to do away with, the public health and sanitation
concerns in these settlements continue to be wider and wider. And of interest
here is the administration of laws pertaining to Public Health and sanitation.
Just as Public Health is a communal
approach to wellness, addressing challenges facing it must also be inter-sectoral
and collaborative of all stakeholders. My concerns here are the policy actors.
The media has done its part and will continue to do so. What remains is what is
done by others, moreso the public health administrators and animators in this
issue. They say evil persists when good men sit and watch without doing
anything. We can all act now to make Kenya a safer place to live in.
The writer is a Graduate Public Health
Intern with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Homa Bay County and a
Health Rights Advocate (chrisjuma1@yahoo.com)
