The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has identified Marigat and Chemolingot Sub County hospitals in Tiaty and Baringo South Constituencies, respectively, for support in the fight against the deadly Hepatitis B virus and Kala-zar disease.
Speaking to the press outside Baringo governor’s office in Kabarnet town, KEMRI Chief Executive Officer Prof. Elijah Songok said the move to establish the two model health facilities was geared towards eradicating the endemic diseases in the region.
The vast county, according to Prof. Songok, is rated among the top three in Kenya for the highest prevalence of Hepatitis B and position five in Kala-azar disease.
He stated that his organization was collaborating with the county administration of Governor Benjamin Cheboi in the establishment of dedicated centres for testing and management of patients from within the county and beyond.
“We are going to jointly lobby for Hepatitis B vaccines so that every household which is facing the risk is vaccinated and set up clinic for all those who have been infected,” he said.
The CEO noted that vaccines against Kala-azar in Chemolingot are going to be introduced for the first time in the country with similar tests to be administered concurrently to patients in Brazil and the United States of America.
Cheboi, in his remarks thanked KEMRI for the noble course that he said will greatly transform healthcare services in the county.
He revealed that through the partnership, the County was also going to benefit from the research of anti-venom in order to address the persistent threat of snakebites in the region.
by Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
