Migori County has launched mass drug distribution in Muhuru-Nyatike Sub County to address and contain Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in the lake region area.
Migori County Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Coordinator Nicholas Makuro said that the distribution of the drug supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) will help to address the bilharzia menace and other related NTD diseases in the lake bordering- Sub County.
In 2022, a manual mapping was done by the Ministry of Health that revealed Migori County as one of the leading counties in neglected tropical diseases.
He said that the distribution of the drugs will be done twice annually to reduce the spread of Bilharzia and other neglected tropical diseases in all the affected Sub Counties.
Migori County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Caleb Opondi said that the county was committed to ensure the county residents access better health care services.
Opondi noted that the county will continue working with partners and donors in the health sector to streamline and provide health care services right from the grassroots level.
The County Official explained that the 2025/26 Migori County budget had increased health funds from 23 percent in the Financial Year 2024/25 to 27 percent, a commitment that aims to boost the health care system in the County.
‘‘We are aiming to eradicate the Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030 as per the World Health Organisation Road map that includes; intensifying cross cutting approaches like mainstreaming with local health systems, coordinating beyond health and mobilising resources as well as changing operational model and culture’’, said Opondi.
He affirmed that the county will continue to drill boreholes in partnership with various stakeholders to distribute clean and safe water especially in areas that border Lake Victoria.
Patrick Ouma, a fisherman and resident of Muhuru bay urged the locals to embrace cleanliness and avoid consuming lake water to avoid bilharzia, cholera and other related waterborne diseases.
Ouma also asked the Department of Health to carry out continuous health awareness campaigns for the residents bordering the lake to sensitise them on health-related matters.
By Marion Obuya
