Creating Safer and More Inclusive Health Services Through Huduma Mtaani
Access to healthcare should be safe, respectful, and free from discrimination. However, many members of key populations continue to experience barriers when seeking health services, resulting in missed opportunities for prevention, treatment, and care.
To address these challenges, Help REACH Africa (HERA), in partnership with Health Options for Young Men on HIV/AIDS/STIs (HOYMAS) and with support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), implemented the Huduma Mtaani Project in Nairobi and Kajiado Counties.
The project aimed to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to HIV-related services for key population.
Strengthening Healthcare Providers
A major focus of the project was building the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver respectful, client-centered, and stigma-free services.
Healthcare providers received training on:
- HIV Self-Testing (HIVST)
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Commodity management
- Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT)
- Key population-friendly service delivery
The project also strengthened the capacity of facility teams to improve service quality and responsiveness.
Building Sustainable Systems
Beyond training, Huduma Mtaani worked closely with county governments and health facilities to strengthen systems that support service delivery.
Supportive supervision visits were conducted to assess:
- Facility readiness
- Staff competency
- Client-centered care
- HIV testing services
- PrEP service delivery
- Retention in care
The project also facilitated Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions led by trained healthcare providers, ensuring ongoing learning and sustainability.
Impact on Service Delivery
Healthcare workers reported improved confidence in serving diverse populations and greater awareness of the barriers faced by key populations when accessing care.
By strengthening provider knowledge and reducing stigma within health facilities, the project contributed to creating more inclusive healthcare environments where all clients can seek services with dignity and respect.
Looking Ahead
As the project enters its dissemination phase, HERA continues to work with stakeholders to share lessons learned and promote sustainable approaches that strengthen HIV prevention and healthcare access for key populations across Kenya.
