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Over 1,600 recovering addicts have benefited from a rehabilitation program in Kiambu County run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in partnership with local and national health organizations.
The initiative, which began in 2019, provided comprehensive support through medical, psychological, and social care to people struggling with drug addiction.
The program, initially managed by MSF and later handed over to the county government, operated three medically-assisted therapy (MAT) clinics and achieved a retention rate of 69%. The majority of participants were male, with a median age of 28. Among them, a small percentage were diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
According to a report from MSF, heroin remains the drug of choice for most addicts in the region, with 97% of users preferring it. Among them, 87% smoke it, while 3.7% inject, and 14.7% use both methods. The project’s primary aim was to reduce opioid-related deaths and provide better access to healthcare services, particularly for opioid substitution therapy.
Globally, opioid use is a major health concern, contributing to new HIV infections and Hepatitis C cases, as well as a significant portion of drug-related deaths. Locally, the situation is no better, with increasing opioid use since the 1990s. Despite harm reduction efforts, including needle exchange programs and MAT clinics, drug users still face barriers such as stigma, logistical issues, and legal constraints.
Before the Kiambu project, access to MAT services in the area was limited, and addicts faced difficulties such as delayed overdose treatment, mob justice, and a lack of social services. The MSF-led initiative helped bridge these gaps by integrating medical and mental health care with social services, making it easier for people to access treatment and reducing stigma. Peer educators played a key role in supporting the addicts, ensuring they adhered to treatment and facilitating continuous care.
In addition to rehabilitation services, the program also addressed other health issues affecting the community, including malnutrition, which was common among heroin users due to appetite suppression. As part of their care, patients were provided with fortified porridge and nutritional support.
Kiambu’s drug addiction problem has been an ongoing concern, but the efforts of the PWUD project have helped improve healthcare access and provided valuable insights for similar programs. MSF continues to address other health issues in Kenya, such as cholera and sexual violence, while advocating for better care and treatment for vulnerable communities.
The county’s Director of Health, Hillary Kagwa, emphasized the importance of sustaining the program, noting that 50 health workers involved in the project have now been absorbed into the county’s healthcare system to continue offering free methadone treatment with support from national health bodies.
