NAIROBI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health ministry on Saturday introduced additional intervention measures to address malaria scourge in the country.
Mercy Mwangangi, chief administrative secretary, said that the government is launching mass net distribution campaign 2020 targeting approximately 25 million people living in 27 regions that are most affected by malaria.
"The new interventions are to be carried out in addition to distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, increased access to malaria testing and treatment among others," Mwangangi said in a statement marking the world malaria day.
She said that the government is also set to launch a malaria youth army and a nationwide "Zero Malaria Starts with Me Campaign."
"The youth army will engage the youths in malaria control and prevention activities in the communities," she said.
The Zero Malaria Starts with Me Campaign, which aims to promote individual responsibility and empower communities to take action in the fight against malaria, she said,
Mwangangi said that the government plans include innovative Kenya-Cuba malaria vector control project that was signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Cuban government in 2018 targeting eight counties in western Kenya.
"This has led to a shrinking of the malaria map with malaria cases reported from health facilities declining from 74 to 40 cases per thousand in 2018," she revealed.
The official noted that the reduction over the decade has translated to fewer cases annually from six million to approximately 4.6 million confirmed cases and reduction in severe malaria cases and malaria deaths.
She added that the interventions have also contributed to reduced maternal and child mortality.
According to Mwangangi, the residual indoor spraying done in early 2020 has coffered protection to about two million residents of Homa Bay and Migori in western Kenya.
Improved capacity for diagnosis means more than 90 percent of facilities having the capacity to accurately diagnose malaria, she added.
Mwangangi observed that even as the government is currently addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, there are commitments to ensure continuity of malaria services across the country.
"We will continue to work with all the county governments and all its partners to ensure that we sustain the gains so that we continue to protect our communities from the malaria disease," she added. Enditem
