Concern as malaria cases on the rise in Coast region
Mr Fred Ndunga (2nd left), the Deputy County Commissioner for Kaloleni Sub-County, Kilifi County flags off a procession during the World Malaria Day celebrations on April 25, 2016. Malaria cases in the Coast are on the rise. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- This is a concern to the ministry because the region had been successful in tackling the disease that claims 4,000 Kenyans annually.
- Dr Kioko urged locals to seek treatment as soon as they have symptoms of malaria or any other disease.
- He said the government had increased resources specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
- Mr Mvurya said the county government was distributing 446,100 long-lasting treated nets.
The Ministry of Health will map out areas in the Coast region most affected by malaria to plan on curbing the disease that has nearly doubled in the area.
According to the 2015 Kenya National Malaria Strategy, although malaria prevalence has dropped in the country, from 11 to 8 per cent, it has increased from 4 to 8 percent in the coast.
This is a concern to the ministry because the region had been successful in tackling the disease that claims 4,000 Kenyans annually.
Acting Director of Medical Services Jackson Kioko said the situation was particularly worse in Kwale County.
“We are here because we have witnessed a slight increase in the prevalence of malaria yet we used to be proud of the Coastal region especially Kwale in the last 5 years,” he said during the commemoration of World Malaria Day at Baraza Park in Kwale Town on Monday.
Dr Kioko urged locals to seek treatment as soon as they have symptoms of malaria or any other disease.
Malaria prevalence in the country has dropped from 11 percent to 8 percent since 2015, a malaria indicator survey has shown.
However, in the lake region a drop has been from 38 percent to 27 per cent over the same period while in the Coast region there has been a slight increase from 4 per cent to 8 per cent.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Dr Kioko further said the government had increased resources specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya admitted that malaria and pneumonia have been the major causes of illness and deaths in the county in the past year.
He disclosed that in 2015, the county reported 282,000 malaria cases in the health facilities across the county, translating to 23 per cent of all outpatient visits.
“We have experienced upsurges of malaria cases along sugarcane plantation areas.” He said.
Mr Mvurya said the county government was distributing 446,100 long-lasting treated nets.
Additionally, he said 32,398 nets were distributed to pregnant women and children below one year old in maternal and child health facilities.
However, these efforts have been hampered by low use of nets by residents according to the governor.
Other dignitaries who attended the function included Unicef representative Rory Nefdt, USAID representative Dr Padma Shetty and GIZ representative Heide Ritcher.
