The USAID has injected about Sh7 billion to run a new five-year health programme in Central province.

The money would be spent in curtailing the spread of HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases in the region.

While launching the Aphia Plus-Zone 4 Kamili Project in Nyeri, USAID-Kenya Deputy Director Karen Klimowski said the funding was part of a global health initiative set up by President Barrack Obama.

She said the programme would cover all the five counties in Central province as well as part of Eastern province. The programme would cover eleven counties.

She said the project would be rolled out in Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Kiambu.

"Through this programme we intend to increase access and utilisation of health services as well as provide health care for the vulnerable groups," said Klimowski.

She said for the project to succeed, accountability was paramount as the programme is tailor-made to respond to the health needs of the poor people.

The project was launched after the success of a similar one known as the AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance II (APHIA II).

On Wednesday, Klimowski said the new programme had been designed to separate health provision service from infrastructural development to ensure it positively impacts on the community.

"The success of this programme will depend on participation of all stakeholders and accountability is also a major factor," said the official.

Speaking at the same function, Central Provincial Director of Public Health Dr George Ngatiri moaned that shortage of condoms risked hurting the gains achieved in fighting HIV/Aids prevalence.

Ngatiri said there was a short supply of government-distributed condoms in past year, which was a cause for alarm.

The region has however registered a huge drop in the HIV/Aids prevalence rate, which now stands at 2.5 per cent, down from 4.6 per cent in 2008/2009.

"The programme will strengthen the region’s ability to improve the lives of mothers and children in the areas of HIV/AIDS, malaria, family planning, reproductive health and tuberculosis," Ngatiri noted.

Ngatiri said apart from HIV/Aids and Malaria, heart diseases and cancer have become a new challenge in the health sector.

"New challenges have emerged as cancer and heart ailments have become a major killer in the country. We need more concerted efforts in tackling the emerging trends," said Ngatiri.