1.0 Introduction
With the theme: “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”, the
International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2026 celebrations scheduled for 1st October
provide an opportunity to position ageing and older persons’ rights as a national development
priority and to bring to light the plight of older adults living with HIV and related co-infections
and comorbidity.
1.1 Ageing and Living with HIV
Increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis
into a manageable chronic condition. However, this extended lifespan has introduced a new
paradigm of health challenges driven by chronic inflammation, accelerated aging, and
medication complexities. Integrating HIV service delivery into routine health care settings
calls for specific interventions for elderly PLHIV1.
1.2 Sustained good Health and Well-being of Elderly PLHIV
Sustaining the health and well-being of elderly PLHIV require an approach that merges
traditional HIV management with comprehensive geriatric care, with focus toward managing
age-related non-HIV comorbidities, polypharmacy, neurocognitive changes, and social
isolation.
2.0 PLHIV Communique
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2026, NEPHAK issues this
Communique calling for the scale up of interventions aimed at the sustained improvement of
health and well-being of elderly persons living with HIV. The Communique takes cognizance
of the 2026 Integrated Guidelines for the Treatment and Prevention of HIV, STIs, and Viral
Hepatitis and related policies and guidelines2 and focuses on key 4 aspects below:
i. Clinical & Medical Management: Immediate Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)3; Aggressive
Co-Infections and Comorbidity Screening4 that include, Tuberculosis, Cervical Cancer,
Cardiovascular Prevention, Bone Health, Organ Function5; Polypharmacy Management6;
ii.Geriatric & Functional Interventions: Neurocognitive Assessments; Early Palliative Care
Integration, and; Mobility & Frailty Optimization7.
iii.Psychological & Social Support: Mental Health Screenings; combating Isolation and
Stigma through linkage with support groups etc.
iv.Integrated Care Delivery Models: Care Coordination; Community8 and Home-Based
Delivery9.
For the above to be realized, all elderly persons living with HIV should be covered under the
SHA funds10. Importantly, partnerships need to be fostered with relevant agencies to ensure
elderly PLHIV access HIV- sensitive Social Protection schemes, including cash transfers
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1. For NEPHAK, elderly PLHIV refer to adult PLHIV 50 years and above.
2. https://app.box.com/s/4l88ka30746805bk7k1n61fpmh05tua7/file/2288285920597
3. Initiating and continuing better, safer we l tolerated ART {I.e. TAF LD} in a l adults aged 50 and older regardless of CD4
counts to suppress viral loads and reduce chronic inflammation.
4. Because older adults face accelerated risks of non-AIDS conditions
5.This is important because TLD is preferred first line ARV in Kenya. So, conduct annual screenings for chronic kidney disease
and monitoring metabolic profiles (diabetes, dyslipidemia)
6. Undertake review and de-prescribe unnecessary medications to help eliminate toxicity and mitigates dangerous drug-drug
interactions between ART and comorbidity treatments.
7. Exercises prescribed and integrated into Self-Care among elderly PLHIV.
8. Community pharmacy models for ART dispensing and sustained multi-month dispensing for elderly PLHIV established in care.
9. Including Community ART Groups (cARGs) where feasible.
10. Including the Emergency, Chronic and Critical I lnesses Fund
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