COUNTY MOSQUITO NETS DISTRIBUTION EXCERCISE COMMENCES

The Ministry of Health Services Wednesday held a stakeholder sensitisation forum on mass nets distribution to residents in a bid to control Malaria prevalence in Kakamega County.

County Director for Medical Services Dr. John Otieno who officiated the brief event on behalf of Health Services CECM Dr. Collins Matemba revealed that Malaria is the leading cause of illness in Kakamega, for both inpatients and outpatients, accounting for 30 percent of every 10 patients seeking medical attention from health facilities in the County.

According to a survey conducted in 2020 by the National Malaria Programme, Dr. Otieno said, Malaria prevalence has reduced from 27 to 18 percent, a factor he attributed to sustained mass net distribution by the Ministry followed by correct use of the nets by residents.

“At the end of this programme, 449,526 households will receive 1,145,500 mosquito nets; we encourage residents to continue using these nets in their homes to ensure Malaria is kept at bay,” he said.

The County Malaria Programme Coordinator Dr. Faustina Sakari said each net is expected to serve two people per household adding that the launch will be preceded by training of Health care workers, Community Area Administrators, Village Elders and volunteers on modalities of distribution.

“We have 930 designated distribution points being Health facilities, Faith Based Organizations, Churches, Schools and Chief Camps to ensure only deserving people benefit from the distribution,” said Dr. Sakari as she thanked the National Government, USAID and Global Fund for supporting the initiative.

County Director for Public Health Dr. William Olaka and County SGBV Coordinator Madam Rose Muhanda also attended the event.