Stem spread of malaria in Tiaty constituency

A patient waits for teratmnet at Tirioko ward, Tiaty sub county. The Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak on August 24, 2019. [JUulius Chepkwony]

The mention of Tiaty in Baringo County evokes memories of bandit attacks, but not so today. Tiaty is in the news following an outbreak of malaria that is ravaging large populations in an area where hospitals are a rarity. Already, six deaths have been reported.

Partially devolving the health docket has not made much difference to Tiaty residents. Many a times patients are photographed lying on the hard ground with drip bottles suspended from trees branches.

Fifty plus years after independence and seven following the advent of devolution, this is unacceptable. It flies in the face of the mantra; ‘bringing services closer to the people”.

Indeed, in these far flung areas, the presence of NGOs is felt much more than that of government. Ironically, the Baringo County Government has appealed to NGOs and well-wishers to help stem the malaria tide.

This is an admission of ineptitude for the simple reason that malaria is avoidable and manageable. It appears the county government and even the national one learnt nothing from the 2017 oubreak which killed 10 people.

By now everything should have been done to forestall deaths. The authorities should have ensured that vulnerable commuties have mosquito nets and drugs are within reach.

Breeding grounds for malaria vectors are known; pools of dirty stagnant water, garbage heaps and bushes. By taking care of such through public awareness and public health campaigns, the ravages of malaria would significantly be reduced.

The Government should quickly supply mosquito nets and prophylactics to residents of Tiaty. Importantly it should come up with a long term strategy to curb malaria deaths in Baringo.