The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the US President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund, is set to distribute 15.3 million bed nets across 22 of Kenya’s 47 counties, categorized as high-burden regions. These counties are divided into five clusters, with each cluster comprising several counties. The distribution campaign kicked off in Homa Bay County on November 15, 2023, covering 91 percent of registered households, and will continue in Kisii County starting January 24, 2024, followed by Nyamira County on January 31. Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni highlighted the ministry’s innovative approach, including digitization of the distribution process, to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.
The distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) has been a pivotal component of Kenya’s malaria control efforts, significantly reducing malaria prevalence from eight percent to six percent between 2015 and 2020. However, malaria remains a pressing public health issue in Kenya, with approximately 6.7 million clinical cases and 4,000 deaths reported in 2022, particularly affecting children under five and pregnant women.
To sustain the progress achieved and bolster malaria vector control, the Ministry of Health, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is committed to intensifying efforts in combating malaria, recognizing its global and local health implications. Furthermore, preparations are underway to extend the distribution campaign to six additional districts in the coming weeks, as announced by the National Steering Committee and the National Malaria Control Program.
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