More than 200 families in Kwale suffering from jiggers will benefit from Sh1.7 million medical supplies donated by the Australian mining firm Base Titanium.
The supplies include 4,000 pieces of dilute jigger solutions, Dudu dust, pumps, gloves and safety glasses.
Since 2013, the firm has been stepping in to help counter various diseases and calamities in the region.
Each year they donate medicinal supplies at least two times depending on the urgency of intervention.
Speaking while receiving the supplies at Kwale health offices in Matuga, county executive for health Francis Gwama said the medical supplies will strengthen the fight against the parasites and related ailments.
"We are going to use the supplies to fumigate the affected households and treat each individual against the disease," he said.
The treatment exercise is expected to commence early next week in all the four subcounties.
Gwama confirmed that the jiggers and bedbugs menace has for years been the region's major headache.
A jigger is a small pinhead-sized flea found in the sandy terrain of warm and dry climates and feeds on the blood of its host.
Jiggers mostly attack hands, knees and feet causing swelling, intense itching and acute pain. Serious cases can lead to death or removal of limbs or toes.
Heavy infestations are mainly found in Lunga-Lunga and Msambweni subcounties.
Matuga and Kinango also have some cases.
When learning resumed in January, some pupils in Gandini failed to report to school due to jigger attacks.
The children had painfully swollen feet and were unable to walk to school.
Some were reported to have performed poorly in exams because of absenteeism and lack of concentration in class.
A section of Makongeni residents in Matuga also raised an alarm over the increasing attack of bedbugs after unsuccessfully battling them.
Most of the affected families are those languishing in poverty.
Base Titanium community health officer Emanuel Kioli said the company will provide further assistance to help eradicate jiggers and bedbugs in Kwale.
Edited by Henry Makori
