About 10 million Kenyans are at risk of jigger infestation, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Head of Public Health Department at the Health Ministry Susan Mutua during the commemoration of the National Jigger awareness Day at Ng’elechom Primary School in Teso South, Busia, Kagwe said there was need for those affected by jiggers to be helped in addressing the problem.
“The medical professionals and the society at large needs to be more proactive in helping infested individuals, households and communities to overcome the menace and reduce the stigma related to the fleas,” he said.
The CS lauded the Busia government, Ahadi Kenya Trust and other stakeholders for their efforts in helping victims through raising awareness.
The CS said in 2020, only 37,523 cases of jiggers were attended to in public health facilities.
The Busia Chief Officer in charge of Health and Sanitation Jonathan Ino said the county government has set aside funds in the 2022-23 financial year to strengthen the capacity in controlling jiggers.
Ino said areas in the county facing the problem have been identified.
“We will procure chemicals to fumigate the areas infested by jiggers in the county to cut the transmission cycle,” he said.
Ino, who was accompanied by the Director Medical Services Janerose Ambuchi and members of the county health management team said household hygiene is among factors that have contributed to the jigger menace in the county.
He said county community health volunteers will be empowered on how to deal with the menace.
Ahadi Kenya Trust CEO Stanley Kamau underscored the importance of communities being empowered with information as a way of eradicating the fleas.
The theme for the National Jiggers awareness Day was ‘Community Empowerment Through Eradication’.
There are over two million people in Kenya suffering from jigger infestation official data shows.
The victims are spread over 42 counties.
The prevalence rate of jiggers infestation, according to the Health ministry has dropped by 70 per cent since the anti-jigger movement was started 14 years ago.
The situation the ministry recently said, has improved with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that saw drastic hygiene measures implemented across the country.
Jiggers have a major socio-economic impact as it immobilises its victims and condemns them to live in isolation with majority losing their source of income.
It also results in absenteeism and dwindled performance for school going children, most of whom are unable to properly walk which limits their ability to mingle with others.
-Edited by SKanyara
