Health CS Mutahi Kagwe [Photo: Health Ministry]
The Ministry of Health has called on the East African Community (EAC) member states to integrate new technologies in their cross-border strategic approaches seeking to eliminate malaria.
Speaking in Rwanda, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said prioritizing prevention and surveillance remain key in accelerating the elimination of the disease.
According to Kagwe the ongoing interventions such as engagements of Regional Economic Blocs in Africa, increased resources, and commitment will help reduce malaria prevalence.
The CS Further noted that under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership as the Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Kenya has committed 5 million dollars towards regional fight against malaria.
According to CS Kagwe, a study by the World Health Organization showed that the South-East Asian Regions known as The Mekong Region, comprising Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam reported outstanding progress as the number of reported malaria cases in six countries fell by 97 percent between 2000 & 2020, following collective efforts to fight the disease.
“I believe that we too can and will achieve similar success particularly with the onset of the newly approved first ever malaria vaccine for use in children. We look forward to the wider deployment of this vaccine to be used alongside other preventive measures,” said the Health CS.
Kagwe spoke during the first Great Lakes Malaria Initiative planning meeting, in his capacity as Chair of the EAC Health Ministers Sectoral Council.
This comes as Kenya through the Kenya Medical Research Institute has developed a malaria rapid Diagnostic Test kit which is set to be launched before the end of the year.