Health experts have said that Western and Nyanza regions have recorded high numbers of malaria positivity cases in the survey conducted by the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at Bungoma County Referral Hospital on Tuesday during World Malaria Day, Dr Charles Chege said that over the years Western and Nyanza regions have recorded high numbers of malaria cases.
Chege is the head of vector control national malaria program.
He also said malaria is among the killer diseases in the world.
Chege also said World Malaria Day is important because it allows the Ministry of Health to see the milestones achieved to fight malaria in Kenya.
“We have had many interventions put in place to ensure that malaria cases reduce and therefore this day allows us to review them and see where we can direct more strength,” Chege said.
Among the interventions put in place by the Ministry of Health to eliminate malaria include the issuance of mosquito nets in mass net campaigns.
He, however, called on parents with children less than one year and expectant women to ensure that they sleep under a treated mosquito net.
Chege said that Bungoma has a 24 per cent of malaria positivity rate with 20 per cent in Webuye East, 46 per cent in Sirisia, 14 per cent in Kimilili, 26 per cent in Kabuchai and 41 per cent in Bumula.
He urged residents in the Western and Nyanza regions to present themselves at health facilities to test if they have malaria noting fever and joint pains are the common signs.
He affirmed that the ministry has put strategies in place to work with county governments to fight malaria.
“Counties should have all the strategies adhered to fight malaria, we shall ensure that counties uptake interventions,” he said.
Chege applauded USAID, KANCO and other sponsors for being at the forefront to support the government's fight against malaria.
