Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has expressed confidence in the efforts the Lamu County government was making in mitigating the cholera outbreak in the region.
The outbreak which has so far claimed three lives in the county since it was declared on November the 5th 2023 after more than 63 cases were confirmed and isolated for specialized treatment at the King Fahd Hospital.
In the wake of a cholera outbreak that has seen 113 cumulative cases primarily in Kashmir and India areas, the county government has also dispatched community health promoters to aid in providing primary health care and public health measures such as the chlorination of all wells within the county.
“Based on the evidence by the Lamu medical services and public health department there has been a significant reduction in some cholera cases with 63 confirmed cases and only five being admitted at the King Fahd Hospital,” Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha stated, during a coast tour visit to assess the impact of the cholera outbreak and other waterborne diseases.
She revealed that her ministry has engaged the county government in distributing 3 cholera kits as well as 6,000 nets to curb malaria which is rife due to the prevailing floods.
The health CS further stated that the Health Ministry will be dispatching a technical team to aid the county government in managing waterborne diseases.
“The national government plans will be donating an oxygen concentrator as well as dispatching an obstetrician to aid in handling gynecology cases such as cesarean births.
“The government is evaluating the possibility of upgrading the facilities at King Fahd from Level 4 to Level 5, as to bring in functioning equipment for the renal unit and the CT scans since those provided by Managed Equipment Services have failed,” she said.
She stated that the community health promoters have emerged as unsung heroes, spearheading efforts to combat the outbreak.
Sentiments echoed by Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy who further lauded the Community Health Promoters in their efforts in providing primary health care services.
He further stated that the Lamu County Government has set aside Kshs 40 million in a bid to tackle relief efforts and waterborne diseases caused by the prevailing El Nino rains.
“A total of 2,157 wells have been chlorinated under the diligent supervision of the community health promoters who are also the face of achieving Universal Healthcare coverage across the country,” he further noted.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura in his remarks stated that the national government has established 11 additional camps for the displaced, with two located in Lamu.
“Rescue operations are ongoing, yet key roads remain impassable due to flooding, hindering relief efforts,” Mwaura said.
The Government Spokesperson further said that the national government’s commitment to relief efforts and infrastructure improvements remains central in mitigating the impact of floods and the spread of waterborne diseases in the region.
He also emphasized the collaborative efforts of the government and humanitarian agencies in addressing the current relief crisis brought about by the prevailing floods in Lamu and Tana River.
By Amenya Ochieng
