Multilateral Public Health Responses to Global Epidemics a Case Study of International Health Organizations’ Response to the Hiv/aids Epidemic in Kenya

Abstract

The contemporary international organization phenomenon as actors in International Relations has emerged quite strongly as the primary global governance mechanism in the international systems, subsequently framing member states' governance structures. In answering HIV/AIDS epidemic, international health organizations role and their influence in collaborations in responding to the pandemic and implimenting international strategic blue print and policy frameworks have been salient features in the Global South but largely ignored in international relations literature. This has created a gap in predictive models regarding the sustainability of such collaborations. This has prompted the need to assess multilateral public health responses to global epidemics using International Health Organizations’ responses when it comes to solving Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic in Kenya. Specifically, the study assessed how responding to HIV/AIDS epidemic had contributed to collaboration between Kenya and international health organizations; and secondly, the factors that influenced the adoption and adaption of policy frameworks and guidelines recommended by International health organizations to Kenya's HIV/AIDS national framework. By assessing how HIV/AIDS has contributed to the collaboration between Kenya and International Organizations, the outcome depicts funding as a key and critical factor facilitating global partnership between Kenya and International Organizations. There has been support in implementing critical enabling policies for HIV/AIDS epidemic response in efforts toward epidemic control and self-reliance. Other measures realized are the collaboration between centres for disease control and the MOH in research ventures that have generated new interventions in strengthening surveillance systems, health information systems, and research informing policies on monitoring and evaluation in evidence-based programs. In terms of adoption and adaption of international guidelines and protocols, the study revealed significant adaptability and adoption of several policy frameworks that have shaped the response efforts at the National level. These guidelines are embedded into the National framework applicable to similar epidemics and pandemics, such as the Covid-19 response. The liberal approach assumes that the international system is characterized by international Cooperation through institutions. Through this school of thought, the Globalization of health efforts to curb infectious diseases has been realized. Alluded further by Jehangir (2012), even when states compete in security, there is the readiness to cooperate in health matters within international instiutions for instance World Health Organization. This partly creates an atmosphere of interdependence and mutual benefits to the states, thus reducing global health threats. These concerted efforts in collaboration, adopting and adapting to global policy frameworks have seen notable effects nationally. Kenya has significantly recorded a downward trend of HIV prevalence with tremendous milestones towards epidemic control, strengthening the health fraternity within the public domain as well as well as medical laboratory systems across multiple program areas.