MoH to distribute 18.3 million mosquito nets in malaria fight

The Ministry of Health will this year launch another round of distribution of mosquito nets as part of the accelerated effort to eliminate the disease from the country.

The exercise which is expected to roll into 2024 targets to see at least 18.3 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) distributed in 28 targeted counties with high malaria prevalence.

Health PS Dr Josephine Mburu on Wednesday said the exercise aims at ensuring households in malaria-risk areas have one net for every two household members.

This, she said, will ultimately contribute towards reducing the burden of malaria in the country.

Mburu is the PS State Department for public health and professional standards at the Ministry of Health.

Additionally, the ministry plans to use innovative tools such as the use of drones in larval source management in lake endemic zones.

“The ministry will also continue to provide prompt malaria diagnosis and treatment through microscopy and the use of quality-assured malaria rapid diagnostic test kits and medicines throughout all public and faith-based health facilities,” she said.

“To further bring services closer to the populations and ensure no one is left behind, the ministry will enhance Primary Health Care through which malaria services will be available up to the community level,” she added.

The PS said in a speech read on her behalf by the Head of Preventive and Promotive Health at the ministry Dr Andrew Mulwa, during a media breakfast meeting ahead of the World Malaria Day commemoration.

The day will be observed next week on April 25, in Nyamira County and it provides the country with an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past and chart the way for the future.

This year's World Malaria Day theme is "Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement," and it underscores the urgent need for action and further investment to achieve zero malaria illness and deaths.