State deploys KMTC nursing students to tackle Baringo Malaria outbreak

More than 200 nursing students have been deployed to contain the malaria outbreak in Baringo county.

Health PS Julius Korir said 150 will be sourced from Kenya Medical Training College while the rest from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

He made the announcement while he toured Chemolingot health facility to assess the malaria situation in the county on Saturday.

At least 27 died from the disease which was first reported in the first week of October after short rains hit the area.

Korir said the malaria situation in the affected regions across the country has not reached a level to be declared an outbreak.

"We have mobilised resources and we have sent technical teams to contain the malaria upsurge in the region."

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The PS noted that they have distributed 7,000 doses of malaria, 22,000 test kits and more than 106, 000 mosquito nets to be distributed to every household in Tiaty.

He said that the initiative will also be rolled out in West Pokot and Marsabit counties where malaria case have been reported.

"We are happy that malaria positivity has declined in the region from the previous 20 to five per cent," he said.

The PS added that the state will monitor mosquito breeding patterns during the short rains.

He lauded the response by Kenya Defence Forces, World Vision and the Kenya Red Cross in dealing with the disease.

KMTC director Peter Tum, who accompanied the team, said that plans were underway to construct a medical college in the region.

"We have developed rural health facilities in the affected areas to help mitigate against the outbreak," Tum said.

Micah Powon of the State Department of Correctional Services said they have distributed relief food to areas hit by malaria outbreak.

"More than 1,200 bags of maize, 400 bags of rice, 500 bags of beans and100 bags of nutritive value foodstuffs have been distributed to fight malnutrition."

Tiaty MP William Kamket, Baringo Deputy Governor Jacob Chepkwony and other local leaders were present during the tour.

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