Migori,
Thursday, April 4, 2024
KNA by Geoffrey Makokha
Indoor residual spraying of houses has kicked off in Migori County with the aim of reducing the Malaria burden that currently stands at 21 percent.
Indoor Residual Spray initiative dubbed Kinga Malaria is a vector control activity funded by the President’s Malaria initiative through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Migori County Malaria Coordinator Ms Florenece Ngere while speaking during the official launch of the project at Suna West sub-County Hospital said that the initiative will be carried out in five sub-counties of Nyatike, Uriri, Suna West, Awendo and Suna East targeting 412,000 structures with an objective population of 693,165.
Ngere said that the indoor residual spray will help to scale down the malaria burden in the county especially in Nyatike Sub County which borders Lake Victoria as well as parts of the sugar belt sub-counties like Awendo and Uriri.
She explained that expansive sugarcane plantations have become a natural harbour for mosquitos, especially during the long April-June rainy season.
In 2020 Kenya Indicate Malaria Survey showed that there was a downward trend of malaria burden in Migori County from 38 percent in 2015 to 21 percent in 2024.
The official added that Malaria is a seasonal disease where the density of mosquitoes is set to rise as the county gears towards the long April-June rainy season in the County.
Ngere also noted that Malaria has been a contributor of one percent of all death cases in the County but added that the intervention put in place by the County aims to reduce the Malaria burden below the current 21 percent.
Already more than 800,000 Mosquito nets have been distributed this year across the county as the fight against malaria intensifies.
She urged the local communities to cooperate with the county health support staff to help eradicate Malaria in their respective sub-counties.
“We have already trained 2000 staff who will be working in different cadres like mobilisers, spray operators and pump technicians to make the 25-day activity a success”, noted Ngere.
Courtesy; KNA
