Medics in Migori seek more funds in war against cholera

Health authorities in Migori want the county government to allocate more funds to the department to deal with the cholera outbreak.

The officials said even though they had contained the disease in the region, more funds were needed to combat the water-borne disease.

Speaking at a Migori hotel during a county health promotion stakeholder’s forum which was sponsored by the Population Services International (PSI) Kenya, the health officials from the cholera–hit Rongo and Awendo sub-counties said they were not adequately funded by the county government.

The disease claimed at least ten lives in the region although over 1,000 people were treated and discharged.

“We had a budget of Sh15 million but only Sh1 million was released.

“We however did what we could to save lives,” said Mr Peter Okello, the Migori County disease surveillance co-ordinator.

“Latrine coverage in this county stands at only 56 per cent while only a few are able to access clean and piped water, a situation that needs to be addressed immediately,” said Mr Okello.

In Kisii, the county government put in place a raft of strict measures to help contain the spread of the water-borne disease from neighbouring counties.

FOOD HAWKING BANNED

County executive for Health Sarah Omache said hawking of food had been banned amid efforts to contain the disease.

Ms Omache said residents had been advised to make use of pit latrines and boil or treat drinking water.

Health officials were expected to visit households to educate the public on the importance of maintaining proper hygiene.

On Friday, the county assembly was informed that 22 cholera patients had been admitted to various hospitals in the area.

A report tabled by Mr Wilfred Monyenye, the health committee chairman, said the patients had been treated and discharged and that measures had been put in place to fight the disease.

In Vihiga, the county government Monday issued an alert following the outbreak of cholera in neighbouring counties.

Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache said the county government and health department had put measures in place to stop the disease from finding its way into Vihiga.

No cases of the disease had been recorded in Vihiga County but the administration said it would not leave any loopholes.

“We are asking our people to take care of their health and cleanliness to compliment efforts by the county government in preventing the disease from attacking us.

“People should prepare food well and ensure it is well cooked before consuming it. Much of our omena comes from Kisumu and people should handle it with great care,” he said.

MIGORI, HOMA BAY FIRST CASUALTIES

The outbreak of the disease was first reported in Migori and Homa Bay on February 10 before it spread to neighbouring counties.

Mr Amaswache also asked the residents to maintain high standards of hygiene and to drink treated water.

“We should not take chances. Cholera is waterborne and spreads fast in unhygienic conditions,” said Mr Amaswache.

Migori County health promotion officer Mrs Judith Achola asked the residents to respect the ban on the hawking of ready-to-eat food which is still in force.

“The ban will only be lifted after we are convinced the situation is better,” she said.

A senior officer at the Department of Health Mr Donald Jaleny promised to make sure additional funds were obtained to fight the disease.

“The first funding might have been inadequate because this was an emergency but I promise that such logistical challenges will not recur in future,” he asserted.

Mr Jaleny spoke as five new suspected cases were reported in neighbouring Homa Bay County over the weekend.

Kenya Red Cross official Mr John Roche said the victims were admitted to Ndhiwa Sub-District Hospital with severe diarrhoea. However, the medics are yet to confirm if the cases are cholera-related.

Mr Roche said Oridi, Pala and Omboka-Kachieng villages were under 24-hour surveillance because of their tendency to report new infections yet cases are going down in other areas.

“We are conducting door-to-door visits. Some residents do not observe hygiene, while others do not boil drinking water,” noted the official.