State to dole out 20million mosquito nets

By Vincent Mabatuk

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has begun distribution of free Long Lasting Insecticides treated bed Nets (LLINs) 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.

Each household and all children under the age of five will be provided with LLINs to protect them against anopheles mosquitoes that cause malaria.

While launching the national mass net distribution campaign in Koibatek, the minister said ten million bed nets would be distributed among Kenyans.

Pregnant women

So far, the Government has distributes 20 million insecticide treated nets countrywide, most of which have gone to pregnant women and young children. Mugo attributed the 36 per cent drop in child mortality rates to the use of treated nets.

intensive campaigns

But despite intensive campaigns, the minister said a good number of Kenyans sleep without a mosquito net due to various reasons, including poverty. Others have chosen to use the nest for fishing instead.

Kenya is one of the African countries in the forefront of the fight to end the malaria scourge.

To achieve their goals in the fight, 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.

She also announced that global fund has approved proposals to a tune of $138 million over the next five years.

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

The minister was accompanied by her PS Mark Bor, Unicef Country Director Dr Olivia Yambi while Dr Abdulahi Jack represented the World Health Organisation.