County profiles to boost fight against malaria
Mrima Arts Group presents a play "Dangerous Mosquito, avoid Malaria" during the World Malaria Day celebrations at Mrima Primary School grounds in Kwale County. Photo/FILE
The government has set up county profiles that will guide health authorities on international best practices for malaria control.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, said this will provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges with a view to intensify the fight against malaria in future.
“We have also made available rapid diagnostic test kits and microscopy services to ensure the rational use of medicines and improved treatment outcomes and to this end a total of seven million Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) have been bought and distributed in the last two years,” he said.
The World Malaria Day will be marked on Friday with its theme ‘Invest in future-Defeat Malaria’ focusing on the global efforts to accelerate the rolling back of the malaria burden and attainment of MDGs by 2015.
FREE TREATMENT
The Cabinet Secretary added that the government has also began indoor residual spraying in four counties within endemic areas which has resulted in protection of two million people annually as monitoring of resistance to insecticides used continues.
He reiterated the importance of provision of effective quality treatment at no cost in all public health facilities as well as subsidised malaria medicine.
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Country Manager Richard Pereira said the company is keen on ensuring that malaria is controlled and educative initiatives enhanced through partnership with the government.
“We will scale up campaigns geared towards reinforcing the message that malaria is preventable and treatable if each one of us does our part in the fight against the disease,” he said.
A recent report by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) found that combination of indoor residual spraying and insecticide treated nets provides added protection against malaria transmission.
