Mass Distribution of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) officially kicked off today and will continue until 10th of December, 2024 in Kipkelion West and Soin Sigowet, the two sub-counties with the highest malaria infection burden in Kericho County.
A total of 382,397 people representing 37.7 percent of the general population are targeted in the two Sub-Counties that boarder with lake endemic region.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting today, Kericho County Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Korir Emmanuel disclosed that a total of 204,294 LLINS nets will be distributed to a total of 64,681 registered households.
Dr. Korir said the five-day exercise will be facilitated by the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and household members will be expected to pick their nets from the designated distribution posts.
“We will be distributing one net per two people in a household. CHPs and village elders have been trained and social mobilization and registration of household members across the villages has already been done, so we are ready for the exercise,” added Dr. Korir
Dr. Korir further revealed that malaria burden in Soin Sigowet was the highest at 237, followed by Kipkelion West at 104. Malaria prevalence in other sub-counties including Kipkelion East stands at 8, Bureti at 11 and Ainamoi at 30.
The Deputy Director of Health Services was concerned that for every 1000 people tested, 47 turned out positive.
“We have enlightened the communities within the villages on the best practices of disposing the old Nets. We have urged them to bury them,” said Dr. Korir
He said other interventions by the health department in the county to deal with Malaria burden included surveillance and disease monitoring, continuous behaviour change, communication, and issuance of Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) which is recommended for malaria prevention at each scheduled antenatal care visit, starting at the second trimester, in areas of high and moderate transmission.
By Kibe Mburu
