By Martin Mutua
Taita, Kenya: Deaths caused by malaria have declined by about 20 per cent in Taita District, Taita-Taveta County, in the past one year, medical authorities have announced.
But they warn of an increase in infections in flood-stricken Tana River County. Authorities indicate that malaria infections and related deaths have dropped in most parts of Coast Province, owing largely to a success in the use of mosquito nets especially among children and expectant mothers.
This could be the reverse in Taita-Taveta as a result of traditional beliefs and lack of medicine in public hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Medical Services Ministry has announced plans to distribute 2 million rapid testing kits to 300 private clinics and 250 pharmacies in Mombasa County and Msambweni District in Kwale County in a bid to fight malaria.
Rapid diagnosis
Coast Provincial Malaria Control coordinator Dr Mohamed Hanif said the kits would be distributed to the facilities to aid rapid and reliable diagnosis of the killer disease since a growing majority of patients visit private hospitals.
“Studies have shown that 50 per cent of patients attended private hospitals and the other 50 per cent public facilities. For us to be sure that we eradicate the disease, we have come together with private stakeholders to ensure those who attend private clinics get access to quality and affordable treatment,” said Dr Hanif on Monday.
In Taita-Taveta, ministry officials said they had not a marked reduction in the number of expectant women and children under five years dying of the disease.
Taita District Medical Officer of Health Charles Ndigirigi attributed malaria decline to distribution of mosquito nets and rigorous health campaigns against the killer disease.
“We have achieved a reduction in deaths and illness caused by malaria in young children. The child and infant mortality rate has reduced by 15-20 percent,” said Ndigirigi.
Briefing The Standard on malaria outbreak in the region, Dr Ndigirigi said most deaths occur in hospitals.
“We have focused more on interventions measures to reduce malaria infection in the region. The distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to households and health education has greatly reduced malaria outbreak,” Dr Ndigirigi said.
The Government has so far distributed insecticidal bed nets to more than 216,000 people. Ndigirigi said about 55,000 households had benefited, noting that shortage of antibiotics remains a major challenge in the region.
