NAIROBI, Monday, June 21, 2016 – On June 16, 2016, Kenyan and U.S. officials launched Afya Jijini (“health in the city”), a $34 million (3.4 billion Kenyan Shillings) integrated health program to improve and increase access and use of quality HIV/AIDS, family planning, and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services.

Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. Bernard Muia and other county health officials joined Dr. Tina Dooley-Jones, USAID Kenya and East Africa Deputy Director for Technical Programs and Planning, to launch Afya Jijini at Mama Lucy Kibaki Referral Hospital. Afya Jijini works with the Nairobi City County Health Management Team, civil society and communities to strengthen the county health system and improve the quality and accessibility of health services, particularly in the city’s informal settlements.

“Kenya is lauded as a center of excellence in the East Africa region, with Nairobi at its epicenter. And yet, particularly in sprawling urban informal settlements, there are still Nairobians who do not have access to basic health care, safe drinking water or adequate sanitation,” Dr. Dooley-Jones said during the launch. “I am confident that this event will serve as an impetus for us to unify the County around ensuring that every Kenyan in Nairobi benefits from the progress we have made over the years.”

Dr. Muia discussed his experience working alongside USAID, “I’ve personally witnessed how the mission saves lives through its various programs in Kenya. This is why I am truly excited about the launch of Afya Jijini today. I look forward to integrating support for health services especially in areas of HIV and family planning.”

Afya Jijini is funded by USAID Global Health and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs.