Ahead of the upcoming mission to Kenya by a delegation of the Mattei Plan, two representatives of the DREAM Program carried out a visit to DREAM centers as part of activities aimed at strengthening the integration of healthcare services in the country.

The mission provided an important opportunity for dialogue with healthcare staff at the centers, during which progress on ongoing health and nutrition projects was shared. These initiatives are supported by the Italian Government’s 8×1000 funds (Presidency of the Council of Ministers), the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), and the Fresenius Foundation.

In particular, the EDUFOOD Kenya project addresses hunger and malnutrition in the most vulnerable communities in the counties of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, and the Nairobi area through direct nutritional support, food education, and actions aimed at strengthening family self-sufficiency. The Health for All in Kenya project focuses on enhancing the skills of healthcare personnel and improving the organization of services in DREAM centers, thereby increasing the quality and continuity of care, with specific attention to the integration of HIV, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases. Alongside these, the Synergy for Health project promotes integrated care models for HIV and non-communicable diseases in rural areas of Meru and Tharaka-Nithi, with particular attention to the elderly population living with HIV. The project includes training for local healthcare workers, strengthening diagnostic capacities, and support activities—such as support groups, home visits, and awareness campaigns—for the most vulnerable individuals.

Taken together, these interventions are contributing to strengthening services for the prevention and treatment of HIV, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases, following an increasingly integrated and person-centered approach.

The visit also made it possible to initiate the operational planning of the project “Beyond Siloed Care”, recently selected by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation under the Global Fund’s 5% call, with the aim of further developing integrated care models.

The mission also served as a moment of exchange among DREAM center coordinators, who presented the results achieved in the counties of Meru and Tharaka-Nithi in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and chronic diseases, highlighting progress in terms of access to services and continuity of care.

Particularly meaningful was the visit to the DREAM center in Chiakariga, where participants were able to take part in a support group dedicated to older people living with HIV. This is a key activity for combating social isolation and strengthening support networks for a population group that is often overlooked and faces greater difficulties in maintaining continuous access to healthcare services.

The mission confirms the commitment of the DREAM Program to promoting an integrated, inclusive, and sustainable approach to health—one that places patients, local communities, and Kenyan healthcare professionals at its center.