We must fight malaria

A 2015 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey report shows a significant drop in malaria cases in the country. In 2015, Africa was home to 89 per cent of the reported 214 million malaria cases globally. Of the 438,000 deaths from malaria, 91 per cent were in Africa. According to the report, the malaria prevalence rate has dropped from 11 per cent to 8 per cent. This drop is credited to the use of mosquito nets and the voluntary seeking of medical attention from hospitals; especially for children.

The report, however, negates other findings. For instance, Turkana County reported over 111,000 cases of malaria between January and February 2016, a 50 per cent increase according to a report by the National Drought Management Authority. In Kisumu, medical tests conducted by Kisumu Integrated Family Health Sexual Reproductive Project at Nyalenda and Manyatta informal settlements in March 2016 found that 6 out of every 10 people tested positive for malaria.