The Kenya Red Cross is set to distribute 10,000 mosquito nets across Lamu County, as part of a malaria and dengue fever intervention programme aimed at curbing an outbreak of the two diseases in Lamu.
The nets will be distributed in collaboration with the national government through the county public health department which will map out malaria and dengue fever prone areas within the county, following reports of increased cases.
Speaking to KNA in Kililana area, Kenya Red Cross Regional Head of Health Intervention Programmes, Louisealba Ngoma Mwende stated that the exercise will expand across both Lamu West and Lamu East constituencies with nets to be distributed in Mokowe, Hindi and Witu.
She further added that the humanitarian organization will also provide the county government with fumigation materials that will be used to clear mosquitoes from malaria and dengue fever prone areas.
“As part of the mosquito nets distribution exercise, schools will also be given nets this week, with the county government through the public health department, to distribute the nets to boarding school students,” Mwende said.
Sentiments echoed by Lamu County Public Health Officer Abdalla Hiribayi Mgana who stated that the net distribution exercise would be most beneficial to schools with the bulk of reported malaria and dengue fever cases being in schools.
Lamu County Medical Services Chief Officer Victor Tolle on his part stated that the Lamu County government had stocked enough malaria medicine and that the county had the capacity to handle a malaria and dengue fever outbreak in case of any eventuality.
“Apart from there being enough medicines, there are also enough rapid test kits that the county can use in testing for malaria,” Tolle said.
By Amenya Ochieng
