The County Government of Trans Nzoia has applauded the impact of partners in mitigation of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Revealing this, the County has intensified efforts to eliminate NTDs by ensuring safe and clean water projects, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Health and Sanitation, Christopher Lorot, said the enormous contribution of partners in the fight cannot be ignored.
Lorot was speaking at the county headquarters while unveiling a presentation on the interventions the government has taken to deal with NTDs while collaborating with partners.
He said that safe water supply and sanitation projects in the region, more so in Keiyo Ward, have largely helped to eradicate NTDs like bilharzia, jiggers, and intestinal worms.
“Keiyo Ward had a prevalence rate of 2% for bilharzia. Through boreholes and rehabilitation of Asegam Dam, the community now has clean water, and the bilharzia cases have reduced,” he said.
Lorot further said the county has set aside Sh3 million to boost water and sanitation strategies. Lorot added that the allocation will, to a greater extent, give a lift to the intervention efforts.
Besides prevention strategies, the county has also considered a curative aspect where enough praziquantel tablets have been ordered, and efforts to upgrade our laboratories to enable testing of bilharzia are underway.
Present was Trans Nzoia County NTD Coordinator Dr. Norbert Wesonga Musundi, who said the county government is preparing key documents, including the NTD WASH coordination framework, an anti-jigger strategic plan, and a school water and sanitation plan.
He revealed that the county has already established an NTD WASH technical working group, bringing together government and non-governmental partners.
“We also have the Environmental Health and Sanitation Act of 2022, which is due for adoption by the County Assembly. Once adopted, the fight against NTDs will be boosted,” he said.
Applauding partners such as AMREF Health Africa, Global Health Alliance Kenya, End Fund, and the African Institute for Health Development for supporting mass drug administration, sensitization, and behaviour change activities, Dr. Musundi to own and embrace the measures if the fight has to achieve tangible results.
The Partners representative, Dr Noelah Awa, praised progress made in reducing bilharzia and intestinal worm cases in Trans Nzoia, saying the county has seen remarkable improvements, especially in hygiene and sanitation.
“Initially there was a case of bilharzia in Keiyo ward, worm, and jigger cases. These were the most prevalent diseases in this county, but we have seen great improvements,” she noted.
By Isaiah Nayika
