•Insecticide-treated nets serve a dual function by acting as a physical barrier between the mosquito vector and humans.
•Kenya is making strides in the fight against malaria due to the government's concerted efforts to combat the disease
Image: FILE
The Ministry of Health will from Wednesday begin a mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLINs).
The official launch of the distribution campaign will be presided over by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha at Ndiru Stadium in Homa Bay County.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, representatives from development partners, community leaders and advocates are also expected to be in attendance.
The goal is to distribute 15.3 million nets to approximately 23 million people in 22 high malaria burden counties.
The counties include Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita-Taveta Vihiga, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Kakamega West Pokot, Turkana, TransNzoia, Narok, Baringo and Kirinyaga.
“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,” Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said.
This is part of the government’s sustained effort to reduce the burden of malaria in the country.
Currently, malaria is the most lethal mosquito-transmitted disease.
Insecticide-treated nets serve a dual function by acting as a physical barrier between the mosquito vector and humans, and exposing the mosquito to a lethal dose of insecticide when it lands on the net.
Kenya is making strides in the fight against malaria due to the government's concerted efforts to combat the disease.
“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.
This includes distributing mosquito nets, carrying out indoor residue spraying of mosquitos, and ensuring that anti-malaria drugs are available in all public health facilities.
The efforts have contributed to a reduction in the malaria burden from eight per cent in 2015 to six per cent in 2020.
Despite the progress, malaria remains a significant health burden in Kenya, causing an estimated 4.4 million cases and 12,000 deaths in 2019.