Residents of Busia have been encouraged to embrace the ongoing Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) of houses and other areas in an effort to mitigate Malaria prevalence rate which stands at 39 per cent.
Speaking to the press Busia Deputy Governor Arthur Odera emphasized that the exercise plays a vital role in reducing fatality rates among under 5year children as a result of the malaria outbreak in Busia.
The initiative which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health through the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the County Government of Busia was kicked off on February 1 in an effort to ease malaria burden.
“We are happy because this is a proven method of reducing Malaria that has been applied with a lot of success in Homa Bay and Migori Counties. We understand that when we eliminate vectors of malaria, then we will greatly reduce malaria,” said DG Odera.
The DG who is also the County Executive for Health and Sanitation noted that IRS achieved great success in Migori by reducing Malaria prevalence rate from 38 per cent to less than 5 per cent.
“As a County, our malaria prevalence is at 39 per cent and we hope to reduce it to below 25 per cent by spraying this year and reduce the burden to negligible level in the coming years,” he added.
The DG added that as a County they remain committed in ensuring residents get adequate sensitization on malaria prevention in line with government preventive approach on health issues.
The DG dismissed misconception associated with the programme including claims that the chemical used in the pesticide sterilizes men and causes bareness in women.
“We have interrogated previous exercises with no justification of these claims. The spray is safe as long as it doesn’t come in contact with the skin when still wet or in gaseous state, the reason why sprayers operators have protective gear,” he disclosed.
As part of its collaborative effort in the programme, the County government has provided stores for material being used, provided medicines for any allergies that may arise during spraying, provided supervisors, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), security personnel among others to ensure a successful process.
The spraying launched on January 31st will proceed until February 27, 2024 across the six Sub Counties of Teso South, Nambale, Matayos, Butula, Samia and Bunyala.
However, the exercise will kick off in Teso North on February 7, 2024 occasioned by technical delays that have since been sorted out.
According to the 2020 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey (KMIS), malaria accounted for 40 per cent of all out-patient cases in the border County.
It was also responsible for 13 per cent of all deaths with an average of 685,243 resident’s diagnosed with and treated from the disease.
Meanwhile, residents of Bunyala Sub County have lauded the initiative saying it will assist lower the burden of malaria off their shoulders.
“This spraying is a major relief to us since our families have been bearing the burden of treating malaria every now and then. Our children will now be able to go to school daily and reduce cases of absenteeism,” said Jesicca Ajiambo from Bumina Village.
Mr George Asembo, the Bubango Sub Location Assistant Chief echoed Ajiambo’s sentiments reiterating that as administrators they have done enough mobilization for the exercise.
By Absalom Namwalo
