Ministry to distribute 15 million mosquito nets to curb malaria

Public health officials distribute nets to Homa Bay County residents at Lake Primary School in Homa Bay town on May 6, 2021. [James Omoro, Standard]

Health Principal Secretary Mary Kariuki has announced that the ministry plans to distribute 15 million mosquito nets across the country, targeting 22 counties with high malaria prevalence.

The PS who flagged off mass mosquito net distribution in Malambisia village, Elugulu ward, Butula sub-county said that the initiative was aimed at curbing malaria infection.

"The ministry is targeting to distribute 15 million nets across the country, focusing on 22 counties with high malaria prevalence," she said.

Kariuki noted that 17 million Kenyans have already received mosquito nets from the first batch distributed in 2023.

"In our first batch of the Kenya Kwanza Government's net distribution, we managed to provide nets to 17 million Kenyans from late last year," she said.

She announced that in Busia County, more than 700,000 residents are expected to receive mosquito nets, with the target being to reach 1.18 million residents, particularly in rural areas.

"Over 700,000 residents in Busia county are set to receive mosquito nets in the ongoing distribution exercise, targeting 1.18 million people, especially those living in rural areas, where poverty rates are high around the lakeside regions of Bunyala and Samia sub-counties," Kariuki said.

Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga pointed out that over 3,000 mosquito nets have been distributed so far in the region.

"So far, we have managed to distribute more than 3,000 mosquito nets in the border county, with many residents eager to get the nets to protect their children against the deadly malaria disease," Mwachaunga said.

He urged those who have already received the nets to use them properly, and not to place them on farms or use as fishing nets, which is common in rural areas.

County Director of Universal Health Coverage and Acting Director of Preventive and Promotive Services, David Mukabi, noted that malaria cases in the county are currently at 39 per cent, with 13 per cent of hospital admissions being acute cases.

"Busia County has a 39 per cent prevalence rate of malaria cases, and 13 per cent of hospital admissions are due to acute malaria," Dr Mukabi said.

County Chief Officer of Health Services, Wilberforce Lusamba, called on Busia county residents to use the nets effectively to reduce malaria prevalence, particularly in Bunyala and Samia sub-counties.

The campaign aims to eradicate malaria in the county and improve sanitation in areas most affected by the disease.