Hospital staff accused of stealing mosquito nets

By George Olwenya

Siaya County

More than 400,000 mosquito nets lying in Government health facilities in Siaya County are being stolen and sold to the public.

The distribution of treated mosquito nets to curb malaria was abandoned two months ago in major health facilities.

Medical personnel claim they are waiting for funds to buy fuel and pay allowances to those who will distribute them.

The Medical Officer of Health Samuel Onditi in charge of Siaya, Ugenya, Gem and Ugunja districts admitted that more than 300 mosquito nets meant for distribution to the public in Ugunja District had been stolen.

Dr Onditi said eight bales, each containing 40 mosquito nets that were part of the consignment for free distribution, disappeared from Simenya Health Centre.

The medical officer told the District Executive Committee meeting chaired by Siaya DC Boaz Cherutich that security officers at Siaya District Hospital intercepted 160 nets being sneaked out by a staff.

Security

The meeting had expressed concern over the delay in distribution of the nets, with members demanding to know the security of the nets after reports emerged that several pieces had gotten lost. Onditi blamed the theft on the long period it took to distribute them and added that the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation PS stopped distribution of nets in Nyanza due to funding problems.

Mr Cherutich called for stern action against those behind the theft, saying the Government will not condone employees who engage in the vice.

In Bondo, the Public Health Officer Josiah Ngerechi recently said the department was waiting for more than Sh1.5 million from the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation to procure fuel and pay staff and village elders who would distribute the nets.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation started distribution of free Long Lasting Insecticides treated bed Nets in 80 districts with the highest malaria risk. Public Health minister Beth Mugo said the exercise, which adds impetus to the continued fight against malaria, started in Koibatek, and is expected to cover 22 million Kenyans.

The minister said the Government would continue to remove taxes and tariffs on medicines, testing kits, bed nets and spray equipment imported into the country.

At the same time, she said all malaria drugs in public hospitals and church run hospitals would be given for free to all Kenyans.