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Campaign to Wipe Out Malaria in Kisii

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Published on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 18:54

Over 2.3 million people are set to receive free treated mosquito nets in Kisii. In a program sponsored by the government, USAid and a global health organisation - Population Service International (PSI) - the distribution is aimed at combating malaria that has been blamed for increased child and adult deaths.

Speaking to the Star from Kisii where the distribution is taking place, Titus Mung'ou of PSI/Kenya said the exercise will cover 13 districts in the region.

He said similar distributions are going on in high-risk areas in Western, Eastern and Rift Valley. "As part of the goal to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by malaria, we are in partnership with the Division of Malaria Control is undertaking a mass net distribution campaign in endemic and epidemic districts in Kenya. Our target is to have every two people in a household get a net," Mung'ou said adding that under the program over 10 million nets will be distributed countrywide. "Our long-term goal is to ensure vulnerable groups like expectant mothers are reached," he said. Mung'ou said the exercise begun last week in Nyamira and is expected to end today.

Even though statistics had shown that Nyanza had high cases of deaths caused by malaria, he said the trend was on decline following massive awareness campaigns and government initiatives to provide free treated nets. "The awareness campaigns have helped to dispel myths and misconceptions that had earlier been held by the residents," Mung'ou said. He said health workers have also been educated and have been urged to reach out to help fight the disease.