•Despite the effort by the government, the headache remains the effective utilization of the distributed nets
•The Ministry has recognised that collection of a net is not enough, proper use and care of the net is critical for impact to be achieved
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
The Ministry of Health this week began mass distribution of treated mosquito nets in a bid to curb the spread of malaria disease.
The exercise which was launched on Wednesday in Homa Bay county seeks to distribute 15.3 million nets to approximately 23 million people in 22 high malaria burden counties.
This is part of the government’s sustained effort to reduce the burden of malaria in the country.
Currently, malaria is the most lethal mosquito-transmitted disease.
Despite the effort by the government, the headache remains the effective utilization of the distributed nets.
The Ministry has recognised that collection of a net is not enough, proper use and care of the net is critical for impact to be achieved.
This is based on the fact that in the recent past, some of those who benefit from such initiatives either end up not using the nets at all or divert them to other unintended uses such as turning them into fences for their gardens.
In an effort to ensure this is minimised, the ministry will be banking on the Community Health promoters for distribution and monitoring proper use of the nets.
“Their role is crucial in monitoring the proper utilisation of distributed nets, underscoring the importance of community engagement and grassroots healthcare delivery in the fight against malaria,” PS Public Health Mary Muthoni said.
“The Community Health Promoters are therefore strategically placed within our communities and will serve as the eyes and ears of this initiative monitoring the proper utilization of these nets,” she added.
Insecticide-treated nets serve a dual function by acting as a physical barrier between the mosquito vector and humans, and exposing the mosquito to a lethal dose of insecticide when it lands on the net.
Through the digital platform DigiMal, the ministry will ensure accurate allocation of the number of nets based on the population.
This end-to-end digital process seeks to prevent leakage and loss of the nets.
Beneficiaries are required to produce their identity cards for their details to get captured before they receive the nets.
The efforts have contributed to a reduction in the malaria burden from eight per cent in 2015 to six per cent in 2020.
Despite the progress, malaria remains a significant health burden in Kenya, causing an estimated 4.4 million cases and 12,000 deaths in 2019.
The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022 KDHS) pointed out various reasons why Kenyans don't use mosquito nets when they go to bed despite the dangers of getting infected with malaria.
The survey showed majority shun mosquito nests because of the hot weather while some expressed reservations due to the net shape, colour, and/or size while others said they didn’t like the smell.
A small percentage believed the mosquito nets were a source of bedbugs while others failed to use the nets due to their inability to hang them.
Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Kitui and Mombasa were found to have the highest number of respondents who said they had not used their net because of hot weather.
“As a community that values health, let us not wait for follow-ups. Malaria elimination is not solely the responsibility of our healthcare providers but a collective duty as a nation,” Muthoni said.
The targeted counties situated in lake and coastal regions include Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita-Taveta and Vihiga.
Others include Homa Bay, Bungoma, Kakamega West Pokot, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Narok, Baringo and Kirinyaga.
The aim is to provide essential protection to vulnerable populations, ensuring that every household in high-risk malaria regions has access to Long lasting insecticidal nets