VCT in KNH started in March 2001 in Patient Support Center and relocated to 2nd floor of the KNH Tower Block, opposite the hospital Chapel. It was officially opened by Ambassadors of United States of America, Japan and the Minister for Public Health on the 9th of August 2001. VCT center was established as a partnership between Kenyatta National Hospital, USAID through F.H.I and the Japanese Government.

The unit is run by a Project Manager, 5 counselors drawn from various professions such as medical social work, nursing, a laboratory technologist, an occupational therapist, a clinical psychologist and supportive staffs.

Goal
VCT is an HIV intervention strategy that targets an individual for the behavior change, with ultimate goal to reach the family and the community. During VCT intervention, HIV facts are collected which assist clients to make informed decisions on their life, and clarify their myths, misconceptions and rumors. VCT also helps in providing an entry point to other health related services.

Services Offered

• The KNH VCT service offer’s anonymous counseling and testing in which clients are only identified by a number given at the reception. The clients go through a focused pre-test counseling session that limits self to risk exploration, risk reduction disclosure and positive living and test decision making.
• A rapid test is carried out within the same room, using two different types of kits whose results are highly specific and sensitive to HIV. Rapid tests use a few drops of blood obtained by a finger prick. Both results are ready within 15-20 minutes. Subsequently, a post test session is carried out during which the results are reviewed by both the counselor and the client. Results disclosure, risk reduction, support, and referral are then discussed.
• Capacity building through training of VCT counselors for one week and three weeks is carried out.
• Training in home based care is provided for care givers for the KNH AIDS CARE network members.
• Networking and support of other VCT centers opened through KNH VCT is also carried out on a monthly basis
• KNH VCT center helps coordinate the KNH Post Test club which has sessions every Thursday and Saturday afternoon.
• Networking meeting for other partners are supported through KNH VCT every last Friday of every month .This is supported through a KNH AIDSCARE network and this enhances collaboration and referral amongst care and support organizations drawn from Nairobi working in the field of HIV/AIDS.

Monitoring and Research
Careful monitoring of VCT services is carried out through:

• Observation, which is carried out through counseling sessions
• Client exit interviews for our services.
• Two officers have been trained in data management to ensure quality recording of information.
• Abstracts have been written documenting both the learning experiences of the VCT center and review of patterns and trends.
• Ongoing refresher training is carried out for staff to ensure high quality service provision.

Achievements

• The center sees an average of 800 clients every month.
• The VCT center has been instrumental in establishing post test club and Comprehensive Care Center as an entry point to other services in the hospital.
• The KNH VCT center has helped in establishing 19 VCT center in Nairobi and its environment.
• Many other counselors have been trained in VCT and have started VCT services in all region of this country.
• Counseling supervision for counselors both in KNH and other VCT centers has also been initiated.