Ministry banks on health campaign to contain spread of cholera

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia at a past event. He has asked private companies to help fight spread of cholera in Kenya. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The CS called private companies to partner with the ministry to fight the disease.
  • Cholera outbreak has been reported in the country and has killed at least 27 people since January.

The Ministry of Health has embarked on a campaign to promote cleanliness in bid to contain the spread of cholera in the country.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said promotion of healthy lifestyles will help Kenyans avoid contracting the disease that has spread in several counties.

“Health promotion is an important aspect….Keeping families healthy is more than drugs and hospitals,” he said.

The CS called private companies to partner with the ministry to fight the disease.

Edible oil manufacturer Bidco Africa Limited has partnered with the ministry in the fight against cholera.

The company has joined the “Kaa Rada” campaign aimed at eradicating the spread of the disease.

Cholera cases have been on the rise in the country and the disease has killed at least 27 people since January.

Mr Macharia welcomed the collaboration between Bidco and his ministry saying he is confident that Public-Private-Partnerships will enable speedy promotion of healthy living practices.

“We also hope to tap into private sector innovation and diversity in the provision of health promotion services for the public,” he said.

Bidco Africa CEO Mr Vimal Shah said it was sad that people were dying from Cholera.

“No one should be dying of cholera in 2015. This is a disease we can and must bear. The answer is in cleanliness, early detection and timely treatment. That is what we want to tell Kenyans,” he said during the launch of the partnership in Thika, Kiambu County.