At least five million people in Western Kenya have been dewormed in an ambitious effort to eradicate intestinal worms and bilharzia. The large-scale initiative aims to eliminate these diseases as public health threats by 2030, with efforts focused on Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia counties.
For many families, the high cost of medication has been a major barrier to treatment, forcing them to seek help only when critically ill. Now, a community-based mass drug administration (MDA) campaign is delivering life-saving treatment door-to-door. The initiative is driven by health workers, government officials, and international partners working together to protect vulnerable populations.
The program provides preventive therapy using medications like Mebendazole for intestinal worms and Praziquantel for bilharzia. These diseases thrive in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, causing long-term health problems such as severe organ damage, malnutrition, anemia, and stunted growth in children. Despite being preventable and treatable, they continue to afflict millions, particularly in rural communities.
The MDA campaign is a massive undertaking. The December 2024 round targeted 5.1 million people for intestinal worms and 1.3 million for bilharzia across 142 wards. Careful coordination at all levels of the health system ensures success, from national planning to county-level implementation. Health workers and community health promoters are trained to distribute medications directly to households.
Technology is playing a crucial role in improving efficiency. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) now use the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to track real-time progress, reducing errors and ensuring no household is left behind. With eCHIS, CHPs can instantly record who has received treatment, eliminating paperwork issues and guesswork.
Pharmaceutical companies have also contributed by donating medications, ensuring even the most remote communities receive life-saving drugs. Collaboration between governments, health organizations, and private sector partners is crucial in eliminating these diseases.
Despite the progress, misinformation remains a challenge. Some communities fear that deworming drugs are a form of involuntary family planning. To counter these myths, health workers engage local leaders, religious groups, and schools in awareness campaigns to build trust and encourage participation.
Training and deploying Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) has been key to gaining community trust. When residents see their neighbors distributing the drugs, they feel more confident in the process. CHPs, who remain embedded in the community, play a vital role in ensuring people receive treatment.
The MDA campaign is more than just a health intervention; it represents a step toward breaking the cycle of poverty and improving the region’s future. By eliminating these diseases, Western Kenya can enhance the well-being of its people and unlock economic opportunities.
To support these efforts, the government has established 12 Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to enhance service delivery. Community participation remains crucial in ensuring the campaign’s success.
While challenges remain, the momentum is strong. Every dose administered and every community mobilized brings the region closer to a future where bilharzia and intestinal worms are no longer a threat. Sustained investment, continued innovation, and active community involvement will be key to achieving this goal.
By working together, Kenya is moving closer to making universal health coverage a reality and ensuring that preventable diseases no longer hinder people’s lives.
