WAJIR County Referral Hospital is overwhelmed by a large number of patients following an outbreak of kala-azar. The deadly parasitic disease causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement and – if untreated – death.
Following the recent outbreak, the hospital has received an overwhelming number of referrals, leading to a shortage of beds and testing kits.
This has posed a significant challenge to effective treatment and containment efforts.
The most affected areas include Wajir West, Eldas and parts of Tarbaj. Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi visited the hospital to assess the situation firsthand and engage with the management and healthcare workers on the ground.
“Recognising the urgency of the situation, I have directed the hospital management to fast-track provision of additional beds and ensure a steady supply of test kits to manage the surge effectively,” he said.
“As we work to contain this outbreak, I urge residents to remain vigilant, seek early treatment, and adhere to health guidelines. My administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare services and mitigating the impact of this tropical disease.”
Abdi Hassa, 50, who was referred from Wajir West, said he started experiencing fever, fatigue and loss of appetite.
“I just woke up on Sunday and noticed something strange. My body was no longer the same. I was feeling extremely weak. I tried taking tea and I could not even finish a cup. My body temperature also rose at an alarming speed,” he said.
“It is at this point that I realised something is not right and decided to rush to the nearby hospital. I was later rushed here and it was confirmed that it is Kala-azar.”
The disease’s symptoms include fever, abdominal distension, fatigue, weight loss and lack of appetite.
Others are inflammation of the liver and spleen, anaemia and greyish or blackish discoloration of the skin. Kala-azar is transmitted through the bites of sandflies, which thrive in sandy environments.
