A malaria prevention campaign has been launched in the high-risk areas of Kerio Valley, led by the Elgeyo Marakwet County Department of Health.
Speaking during the official launch at Chegilet Health Centre in Kerio Valley, the Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Caroline Magut, announced that the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) exercise is underway in a bid to curb malaria infections in the region.
“This is a critical intervention to reduce malaria-related deaths and improve the overall health and well-being of our communities,” Magut said.
She emphasized that the department is committed to ensuring that every household in the targeted areas is reached during the campaign.
The exercise will cover Arror, Emsoo, Endo, Soy North, and Soy South, which are known malaria hotspots. According to the Chief Officer, the operation is being conducted by Sub-County Health Teams in close collaboration with Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
“We have mobilized a dedicated team of health personnel and CHPs to carry out the spraying in homes, and we are confident this will greatly reduce the mosquito population responsible for transmitting malaria,” she added.
Ms Magut urged residents to welcome the health teams into their homes and cooperate fully to ensure the exercise is a success.
“Community participation is essential. We appeal to all residents in the listed areas to support this initiative for the benefit of their families and neighbours,” she said.
The IRS campaign is one of the key strategies outlined by the county in the ongoing war against malaria, a disease that continues to affect many people in the region every year.
By Rennish Okong’o
