Nets given in fight against malaria in West Pokot

The West Pokot government is set to distribute over 300,000 mosquito nets to curb rising cases of malaria.

County Chief Officer for Health James Akudian said the process of registering potential beneficiaries was ongoing and the distribution would begin soon.

He said the nets would help bring down malaria cases and urged those who got them to use them for the intended purpose rather than as fences for vegetable gardens as has happened before.

Residents have been raising concerns about increasing cases of malaria and shortage of drugs and health workers to attend to the swelling number of patients.

A spot check by The Standard on dispensaries and health centres in the grassroot areas of Chepareria, Lelan and Turkwel established that there were increased numbers of patients seeking treatment for malaria.

At Chepkobegh Dispensary in Chepareria, there was only one health worker attending to a large number of patients seeking treatment there.

James Liamale, a resident, said it was sometimes difficult to find drugs the facility and called on the county government to buy more drugs to cater for the surging number of patients.

Mr Akudian however refuted claims that there was a drugs shortage as the county recently received drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.