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We'll Win the War Against Malaria, Says Doctor
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 21:47
"Our medical teams on the ground are making substantial progress and have managed to contain the situation. However, more caution is being taken and more drugs are being ferried in to supplement the existing stock," the provincial medical officer of health, Dr James Gesami, said yesterday.
He attributed the upsurge in malaria cases to heavy rains that pounded the area in November and December last year.
According to him, additional teams of medical officers, with sufficient drug supplies, would be sent to the area to control the disease.
Dr Gesami said more attention would be placed on preventive measures to stop the disease from spreading to neighbouring districts.
"Our emphasis now will be to encourage area residents to stick to basic preventive measures such as spraying of bushes and stagnant water instead of waiting to fall sick and then rush to hospital for medication," the officer said.
Dr Gesami told the residents to use treated mosquito nets to curb the spread of the disease which is transmitted through mosquito bites.
Medical staff at the Kisii Central District Hospital were put on alert at the weekend following an upsurge of malaria cases.
The local medical officer of health, Dr Eric Abuga, said that up to mid this month, 562 malaria patients had been admitted to the hospital, which also serves as a referral centre for 13 districts. Eight of the patients died.
The ministry of Health, together with NGOs like World Vision, had identified 178 mosquito breeding sites, particularly man-made ponds, which would be sprayed with anti-mosquito chemicals.
The Global Fund for Malaria Control has donated funds to be used to buy treated nets for distribution to area residents.
