The Ministry of Health will from Wednesday begin distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLINs) Distribution.
This comes in the wake of El Nino rains that are pounding the country, which has raised the fear of possibility of waterborne diseases such as malaria.
The 2023/24 LLINs Distribution Campaign is set to cover 22 high malaria-burden counties, with the goal of distributing 15.3 million nets to approximately 23 million people.
The targeted counties situated in lake and coastal regions include Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita-Taveta and Vihiga.
Others include Homa Bay, Bungoma, Kakamega West Pokot, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Narok, Baringo and Kirinyaga.
The aim is to provide essential protection to vulnerable populations, ensuring that every household in high-risk malaria regions has access to LLINs.
PS Public Health Mary Muthoni on Sunday said the campaign aims to significantly reduce the incidence of malaria, contributing to improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and an overall enhancement in the well-being of the population.
“Through active community engagement, the campaign seeks to empower individuals to take control of their health, fostering a sense of resilience and collective responsibility in the fight against malaria,” Muthoni said.
“Beyond a mere distribution effort, this campaign signifies a continued commitment to combat malaria, representing a formidable step towards universal coverage with nets."
According to the Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey, malaria prevalence has dropped from eight per cent in 2015 to six per cent in 2020.
The ministry has however noted that despite the gains, malaria still accounts for 13 to 18 per cent of all outpatient attendance in public health facilities and an estimated 15 per cent of all admissions to health facilities, based on passive case reports.
The Kenya Malaria Strategy 2019-2023 (KMS) aims to reduce the burden of malaria in the country to at least 75 per cent of 2016 levels by 2023, ultimately striving for a malaria-free Kenya.
“To sustain the achieved gains and contribute further to effective malaria vector control, the ministry through the Division of National Malaria Control, plans to conduct a mass LLIN campaign,” the PS said.
Last month, the Kenya Metrological Department had called on the relevant players in the health sector to distribute treated mosquito nets to malaria-prone areas.
“There may be an increase in vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Rift Valley fever and dengue fever, as stagnant water from floods is expected to provide breeding grounds for disease carrying insects such as mosquitos,” the advisory said.
The advisory further warned that respiratory illnesses such as asthma may increase as a result of prolonged periods of cold weather especially in flooded houses.
Last week, Acting Health DG Patrick Amoth acknowledged that the country can witness a rise in waterborne diseases and other ailments due to the flooding being witnessed across the country.
The DG said the ministry is already working with counties to stockpile essential medical supplies at facilities to avoid any disruptions in healthcare services.
“We have to do surveillance because if we have floods then breeding of vectors including mosquitoes that are vectors for diseases like malaria and Rift Valley Fever will be witnessed, so surveillance is one of the key activities that we are being able to undertake,” Amoth said.