In a significant move to curb the rising malaria cases in Kenya, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has embarked on an ambitious campaign to distribute 290,000 mosquito nets to households in malaria-endemic regions across the country. This initiative, supported by the Global Fund, aims to provide critical protection to thousands of families, particularly in counties experiencing a recent surge in malaria cases.
Among the key beneficiaries of this distribution are the counties of Baringo, Narok North, and Trans Mara, which are currently grappling with high incidences of malaria. In Baringo County, the initiative has already made a notable impact. Eldama Ravine sub-county has been allocated 95,000 mosquito nets, while Mogotio and Baringo South have each received 72,000 and 80,000 nets, respectively. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to address the alarming spike in highland malaria, a variant of the disease that has led to tragic fatalities in these areas.
In addition to Baringo, the mosquito nets have also been distributed in Narok County, specifically targeting Narok North and Trans Mara sub-counties. The distribution in these regions is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and young children, who are at higher risk of severe malaria complications.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muriuki emphasized that the distribution of mosquito nets is only one component of a comprehensive malaria control strategy. “Our efforts to combat malaria go beyond the distribution of nets. We have recruited and equipped 107,831 Community Health Promoters nationwide, providing them with extensive training. These health promoters are crucial in the first level of response in villages, working diligently to curb the spread of malaria,” Muriuki stated.
The PS was joined by Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, National Director of Primary Healthcare Joseph Lenai, and Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia in overseeing the distribution efforts. Muriuki highlighted that each household is being provided with four mosquito nets, aiming to safeguard over a million people from the deadly disease. The focus of this initiative is particularly on pregnant women and children, who are most vulnerable to malaria’s severe effects.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has established 189 of the targeted 315 Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across the country. These networks are designed to enhance the accessibility of health services, particularly in remote and underserved areas, many of which are prone to malaria. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that health services reach even the most isolated communities.
KEMSA CEO Waqo Dulacha acknowledged the crucial role of the Global Fund and the US government in supporting this initiative. “The support we have received through the National Treasury and the Ministry of Health, amounting to 10.9 million nets for about 22 counties, has been instrumental in advancing our fight against malaria,” Dulacha said.
The mosquito net distribution campaign is a significant step forward in Kenya’s battle against malaria, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the disease’s prevalence. By combining this distribution effort with the training of community health promoters and the establishment of Primary Care Networks, the initiative represents a comprehensive approach to tackling one of the country’s most persistent health challenges.
As the mosquito nets are distributed and placed in homes, the hope is that these efforts will lead to a notable decrease in malaria cases and associated deaths, bringing Kenya closer to a future where malaria is no longer a major public health threat.
