www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]
Nyanza Gains Ground In Exams
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 07 July 2007 07:49
Prof Ongeri said 30 per cent of outpatients in public health facilities suffer from malaria and 19 per cent of those admitted to the hospitals are infected with the disease.
"The government spends a lot of money to cure millions of Kenyans who contract malaria annually."
The minister was speaking at the Nyamira District Hospital after touring the Manga and Nyangina health centres, where he presented mosquito nets and a microscope worth Sh350,000.
Prof Ongeri said malaria and HIV/Aids were the leading killer diseases in the country.
Most of the medical officers in the regions complained that it was difficult to contain the epidemic because they were faced with lack of anti-mosquito spray chemicals and drugs.
The doctors complained that the malaria strain they were tackling was resistant to chloroquine and other traditional anti-malarial drugs.
Following the epidemic, the British government through its High Commissioner, Mr. Jeffrey James announced a Sh35 million fund to help an emergency malaria control programme in Wajir town.
The government also launched preventive campaigns to eliminate the disease. The ministry of Health attributed the increases in malaria related deaths to the El Nino-triggered rains.
Garissa recorded the highest number of out-patient cases at 4,000, followed by Wajir with 3,500 cases between January and early February.
In Nyamira, a total of 2,674 out-patient cases was recorded while 2,666 cases were recorded in Kisii, excluding children below the age of five.
Last Week, the government banned the sell of anti-malaria drugs over the counter and advised that it was to be only done through prescription.
