Faza Island residents fear possible diarrhoea outbreak as four taken ill

By Maureen Mudi and Philip Mwakio

It is said misfortunes never come singly and how true for residents of Faza Island in Lamu.

After watching their houses burn barely two weeks ago, the residents fear a diarrhoea outbreak.

Four residents have in the past two days been admitted to Faza Health Centre suffering from diarrhoea-related complications. Several others were treated and discharged.

Medical staff, however, assured the residents the situation was under control. Dr Mitwani Bijuma said there were a couple of bacterial-related diarrhoea cases at the hospital.

"Since the residents were displaced, it was highly likely there would be such cases and the main reason is due to lack of toilets," she said.

She said three nurses, a clinical officer and a laboratory official have been sent to the island.

"Those we have admitted are undergoing treatment and are responding well. They are dehydrated and need plenty of fluids," she said.

Free clinic

The team will hold a brief clinic for the residents to contain the disease.

The Muslim Education and Development Agenda (Medan) will also hold a free medical camp on the island tomorrow.

The camp will be in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya and the Mombasa Liwatoni mosque.

Medan chairman Ahmed Yassin said some residents could have been traumatised after the fire.

And local students whose school books was destroyed in the fire will get help from the Ministry of Education.

Education PS Karega Mutahi said his ministry will help the students with textbooks and uniforms.

 

 

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