400 pupils treated from jiggers’ infestation

About 400 pupils from Bugengi location in Busia County had jiggers removed from their feet, courtesy of Ahadi Kenya and National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Speaking after the exercise in Bugengi Special school on Thursday, Ahadi Kenya CEO, Stanley Kamau said there was need for the national government to carry out census on jigger infestation and disability in the Country.
“This will help us to know how many Kenyans are affected by jiggers and how many have special needs,” he said.
Kamau urged the Ministry of health to work closely with the Ministry of Planning, to ensure that the census is in place for ease of programming.
“It is a big shame for a pupil to have a laptop, but does not have shoes,” he said adding that the organization will donate shoes to pupils with special needs.
He added that there was need to register parents whose children are infested, so that they can be empowered economically.
“This is because jigger infestation is caused by poverty,” he said adding that if empowered, the parents will be able to cater for their children.
The CEO disclosed that the organization in conjunction with the office of the First Lady, was offering scholarship to five needy children in the County.
“If a child will get 380 marks and above from this area, I will sponsor him from secondary to University,” he said adding that jigger infestation had no boundaries or ethnic background.
“Let us advise our children who are working in different parts of the country to be able to give back to the community,” he said.
The pupils were also issued with shoes and sanitary towels.
By Salome Alwanda