The Uasin Gishu County government has initiated a sensitization campaign to educate residents to take cautionary measures against Hepatitis A and other waterborne diseases during the current heavy rains and flooding.
The County Executive for Health Services, Dr. Abraham Serem, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about Hepatitis A and other food- and waterborne-related diseases associated with hygiene, which are prevalent during the ongoing rainy season and flooding.
Speaking during a meeting with the County Health Management Team, Dr. Serem announced that the county has launched sensitization programmes to educate the community on the risks associated with these diseases and urged them to prioritise hygiene practices and avoid the consumption of herbal medicines, which can have adverse effects on the functionality of vital organs.
The Clinical Services Chief Officer, Dr. Joyce Sang, raised similar concerns, adding that there was also a danger of Hepatitis A and other infestation diseases being spread following the sprouting of numerous herbal saunas in Eldoret town and its environs.
“There is a potential transmission of Hepatitis A and other infectious diseases in herbal saunas due to lack of hygiene and inadequate dressing gear in the herbal sauna,” she said, adding that there was a need for stringent hygiene protocols in communal facilities like saunas to prevent the spread of diseases and protect public health.
The County Health Services Director, Dr. Evans Kiprotich, highlighted the symptoms associated with Hepatitis A, such as yellowing of the eyes and pain on the left side, as indicators for early detection and prompt medical intervention, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications and further transmission of the disease.
Governor Jonathan Bii, in his Nguzo Kumi blueprint, prioritises public health initiatives and proactive measures to address prevalent health challenges within the County by focusing on disease prevention, health education, and community engagement to protect residents from infectious diseases, hence enhancing healthcare practices.
By Kiptanui Cherono
