As the nation marks the New Year, Busia County’s Women Representative Catherine Omanyo has intensified efforts to combat jigger infestation, a pervasive issue affecting many in the county. Launching an anti-jigger campaign in Teso South, Omanyo aims to improve the hygiene and living conditions of school-going children and the less privileged.
Omanyo urged other local leaders to join the fight against jiggers to ensure children can attend school without disruptions. “Jiggers have affected the performance of many children within the county, leading to school dropouts and poor performances, hence the need to intensify the fight against the menace,” she emphasized.
Through the Government Affirmative Action Fund (GAAF), Omanyo plans to construct structures for the elderly, initiate treatment for the affected, and distribute shoes to vulnerable school-going children by the end of the year. “We will give dignity to the affected elderly people in society by building simple structures and fumigating their houses to ensure we have a lasting solution to the problem of jiggers,” she added.
During the launch in Teso South constituency, over 100 jigger-infested individuals received treatment, thanks to the collaboration between Omanyo and Chakol South MCA Danzel Musumba. Musumba praised the campaign, noting that health and hygiene are fundamental to wealth. He also stressed the need for decisive action against the jigger menace, which has tarnished the county’s reputation.
“To eradicate jiggers, Community Health Volunteers should be equipped with adequate knowledge and skills on how to educate locals on basic hygienic practices, besides providing drugs to those already infected by jiggers,” Musumba stated.
Busia Women Rep Catherine Omanyo leads an anti-jigger campaign at Chakol South ward in Teso South constituency to mark New Year’s celebrations on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Jigger infestation is caused by an impregnated female sand flea called tunga penetrans, which burrows into various parts of the body, laying eggs and causing pus-filled sores. According to community health volunteer Rosaline Akoth, hundreds of families in Busia County silently suffer from jigger infestation, with some entire households affected, forcing children to drop out of school due to stigma.
“Jigger infestations are scars, silently tormenting so many people here, simply because society feels the matter should be swept under the carpet,” noted Akoth.
The fight against jiggers in Busia County requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to improve health and hygiene practices and provide the necessary resources and support to affected individuals and communities.