•Nyong'o said the improvement was because of the implementation of various preventive and treatment strategies in the county.
•He cited key interventions such as the widespread ownership and use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Kisumu county has recorded an improvement in the fight against malaria, with current prevalence standing at 15.6 per cent, Governor Anyang Nyong'o has said.
He said the improvement was because of the implementation of various preventive and treatment strategies in the county.
Nyong'o said in the early 2000s, malaria burden exceeded 50 per cent prevalence. Kisumu is situated within the malaria Lake Endemic Zone, where the prevalence of the disease exceeds 15 per cent.
The geographic and climatic conditions in the region, which is characterised by low altitude, specific rainfall patterns, hot and humid weather, create an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“This exposes vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses to the highest risk,” Nyong’o said.
The governor spoke during World Malaria Day at Pawteng in Muhoroni, Kisumu, on Thursday. The event was presided over by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha.
Nyong’o said there is a decline in malaria cases in Kisumu, following concerted efforts by the county and national governments, healthcare workers and community partners.
He cited key interventions such as the widespread ownership and use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets.
Nyong’o said 93 per cent of residents own a bed net.
Besides nets, he said prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing malaria-related complications and deaths.
“Through partnerships with the Ministry of Health, we have ensured all health facilities are equipped with rapid detection test kits and essential medications recommended by the World Health Organization,” Nyong’o said.
The county has invested in training of health workers and community health workers (CHW) to ensure adherence to the stipulated guidelines.
He said the CHW programme has made an impact on the hard-to-reach populations.
Nyong’o said between January and June 2023, the CHW managed an impressive 10,503 cases of malaria illnesses, a significant increase from the 4,928 cases handled in 2022 in the same period.
This year between January and March, 18,781 cases have been handled, which is double what the county handled in six months last year.
Nyong’o urged the government to ink strategic partnerships to support the health building blocks and innovative solutions in logistics management of medical supplies for realisation of the universal health coverage.
He praised the partnership with Zipline, which has delivered 6,300 life-saving commodities since its inception in February 2023.
Nyong’o said expanding the partnership to include blood and vaccine delivery will create efficiencies in the health system, allowing reliable storage of vaccines, distribution on need basis and avoidance of stock outs.
In addition, efficient logistics management for blood is equally paramount to the healthcare system.
Nyong’o said with the endemic nature of malaria in the region, many expectant mothers often have low blood levels during pregnancy, making them highly susceptible to complications from even minor blood loss during childbirth.
“Therefore, ensuring a readily available supply of blood, just a phone call away, is imperative for our primary health facilities,” he said.
The governor said the accessibility of life-saving resources not only guarantees optimal care for mothers during delivery, but also instils confidence in county healthcare providers.
Nyong’o wants the national vaccination programme to adopt technology to boost efficiency, which has been proven successful in Rwanda and Ghana, with overall cost effectiveness demonstrated.
He praised partners involved in malaria elimination.