By Sylvia Mueke
The country’s fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Mpox virus has received a boost.
This is after the World Health Organisation donated medicines for NTDs and Mpox diagnostics to the Ministry of Health.
The WHO donated 15,215,000 tablets to support Kenya’s fight against NTDs to help eliminate conditions like Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases.
The donation worth Sh213 million worth of medicine is to be used for a mass drug administration later this month targeting over 15 million people in 15 counties.
According to the ministry, the focus will be on the Coastal region, Lake Victoria basin, and Western regions, where the burden of these diseases remains highest.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Debora Barasa lauded the move, noting that the donation will greatly help tame the spread of NTDs in the nation.
‘’Mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns for controlling NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and schistosomiasis, especially in regions most affected, are important in addressing the health needs of vulnerable populations,” Barasa stated.
Dr. Barasa also highlighted Kenya’s progress in tackling NTDs, citing the implementation of effective interventions, such as preventive chemotherapy, in combating these diseases.
WHO representative to Kenya, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Kenya in its efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases NTDs by 2030.
This comes after the first fatality and 13 infections were recorded and confirmed by the the Ministry of Health.
Making the announcement, health director general Patrick Amoth revealed that the first fatality was a patient who succumbed as he was also battling existing health complications.
As of Monday 14th of October 2024, 236 samples were tested in accredited laboratories.