Homa Bay County has made significant strides in the fight against Malaria by reducing the prevalence rate from 17 per cent to 3.6 per cent over the last five years.
The County Chief Officer for Health Dr Kevin Osuri said the latest Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey (KMIS) revealed that malaria prevalence in the county reduced to 3.6 per cent from 17 per cent in 2017.
Speaking during the marking of World Malaria Day at Kadongo trading center, Dr Osuri said the milestone had been made due to various interventions put in place to reduce spread of the disease.
He said Homa Bay was among the counties where malaria vaccination has been rolled out under the pilot phase.
Dr Osuri attributed the achievements in malaria control to behaviour change in which many people are now adhering to malaria prevention measures.
“The KMIS of 2020 revealed that the malaria prevalence rate in Homa Bay County reduced from 17 per cent in 2017 to 3.6. This is a good achievement that we should always maintain,” Osuri said.
He said malaria vaccination and indoor residual spraying (IRS) were instrumental in the fight against malaria. The IRS focuses on spraying residential premises with an insecticide which kills mosquitoes.
“We in conjunction with other partners plan to roll out malaria vaccination in all sub-counties in Homa Bay,” Osuri said adding IRS was currently ongoing in the county and will end on May 9.
Dr Osuri urged residents to allow officers undertaking the IRS discharge their duties and also avoid myths surrounding the IRS.
“There are cases where some residents deny IRS personnel access to their houses. Let us desist from such behavior because the spray does not cause any harm. Let us avoid myths about the spray,” Osuri advised.
The County Malaria Coordinator Philip Mbom urged expectant mothers to embrace the culture of attending clinics regularly to enhance the fight against malaria.
“Clinics are very beneficial to expectant mothers. The expectant women are given drugs and mosquito nets free of charge. Let mothers visit clinics regularly for prenatal and postnatal care,” Mbom said.
He told residents to adhere to the malaria prevention measures stipulated by the government.
By Davis Langat
