Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
With the deployment of many interventions aimed at different regions of the country, Kenya is making great progress toward the eradication of malaria.
Dr. Josephine Mburu, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, claimed that Kenya has drastically reduced the number of new cases of malaria over the past ten years, as well as the prevalence of the disease, by over 50%.
The Kenya Malaria Elimination Implementation Plan (2021–2023) has been launched, outlining the implementation pathway of malaria elimination activities in the nation, according to the PS in a speech read by Dr. Andrew Mulwa, Head of Preventive and Promotive Health Services at the Ministry of Health.
The plan aims to reduce the burden of malaria in the country and contribute to the global goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
Kenya’s efforts, together with those of Ghana and Malawi, led to the scaling-up of the malaria vaccine, which was introduced in Kenya last month. In 2024, the Ministry of Health intends to distribute 18.3 million Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in 28 selected counties, with the goal of ensuring that homes in malaria-risk areas have one net for every two household members.
In contrast, the uptake of malaria interventions at the community and household levels is still below the target, and there are significant funding needs for malaria prevention, control, and elimination. The current resource gap for these efforts is 50% of what is needed to fully implement the Kenya Malaria Strategic Plan.
Given that external financing is either stagnant or decreasing in an urgent manner, Kenya must solve the financial resource deficit, in an environment of increasing need.
The PS acknowledged that the private sector has contributed to the fight against malaria through multisectoral advocacy and resource mobilization. “The End Malaria Council Kenya has mobilized an additional $1 million US dollars towards the fight.
The Ministry of Health is also happy about the additional malaria clinics promised through this public-private partnership initiated by EMC and SC Johnson, which will go a long way in strengthening malaria control and elimination in Kenya,” she said.
Kenya’s achievements help the world achieve its 2030 malaria eradication target.
The fight against malaria must, however, be a community effort, and young people’s participation is essential.
Launching the Kenya Malaria Behaviour Survey 2022, Key Indicators Report, and three other malaria-related documents demonstrates the nation’s dedication to a holistic strategy that addresses not just the medical elements but also the social and behavioural components that contribute to the spread of malaria.
Although there has been some success, Dr. Diallo Abdourahmane, WHO Representative in Kenya, emphasized that there are rising risks such exotic mosquito species and declines in funding from the Global Fund.
The WR called for increased investment, innovation, and implementation to achieve zero malaria.
He also acknowledged that “Kenya has made commendable strides in the fight against malaria, with significant reductions in the malaria burden, the establishment of the Zero Malaria Campaign Coalition and the End Malaria Council and Fund, the mass distribution of mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, and the uptake of the WHO-recommended RTS,S malaria vaccine.”
