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By Roselyne Obala
Malaria remains a killer disease in spite of various interventions put in place especially in high risks areas across the country, the Government has confirmed.
There is high prevalence rate in Lake basin region, Nyanza, Western and parts of the Rift Valley. Public Health and Sanitation PS Mark Bor however noted that over the last decade, malaria control efforts have seen great progression in the fight to reduce its burden. Mr Bor said the impact of these inventions has had dramatic results, through major scale-up of long lasting insecticide treated net distribution and most recently, increased access to malaria diagnostic testing before quality-assured treatment.
“Through galvanising of resources we have been able to reduce malaria burden in all counties together with development partners, “ he said. He continued, “ The ministry’s control strategies are tailor made to correspond with the country map where high risk areas are monitored like Nyanza, Western and Coastal regions.” Bor said the Government has spent Sh9.4 million to make the diagnostic kits available in health facilities.
The PS said the 6.9 million nets would be distributed in the next four years to children under one years and pregnant mothers. He disclosed that the ministry has trained 16000 healthcare workers countrywide to effectively manage the healthcare system.
The Head-Division of Malaria Control David Soti confirmed that the country has made positive steps in controlling the disease.
Hospital admissions
Dr Soti stated that this has been made possible with hospital admissions falling by more than half in high-risk districts.
“The challenge posed by Malaria related deaths is a worrisome state of affairs that we are keen to reverse by scaling up the use of consumer indoor residual sprays alongside insecticide treated nets, “ Pereira said. The two spoke during a media briefing ahead of next week’s commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day on April 25th at Moi Girls Kipsitet in Kericho County.
This year’s theme: Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria will entail both the private sector players and the Government joining hands to confirm efforts made to roll back the intensity of Malaria associated deaths.
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