Dr. Ndirangu Wanjuki, Amref Health Africa’s Country Director in Kenya, warns that neglected tropical diseases such as intestinal worms, bilharzia, elephantiasis, kala-azar, and trachoma pose severe public health risks. He highlighted that over 5 million Kenyans are already receiving preventive treatments and emphasized Kenya’s potential to eliminate these diseases by 2030 through strengthened primary healthcare policies
By Wakhungu Andanje
About 25 million Kenyans face the risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) unless immediate measures are implemented, an Amref Health Africa report has revealed. Addressing residents in Malava, Kakamega County, Dr Ndirangu Wanjuki, Amref Health Africa’s Country Director in Kenya, warned that intestinal worms, bilharzia, elephantiasis, kala-azar, and trachoma pose significant threats to public health.
Dr. Wanjuki highlighted that over 5 million Kenyans are already receiving preventive treatments at both county and national levels. He emphasized Kenya’s potential to eliminate these diseases by 2030 through robust policies to strengthen primary healthcare.
Campaign for the mass drug administration targeting neglected tropical diseases.
[Photo: Wakhungu Andanje]
To this end, Amref, supported by The End Fund, is providing preventive medicines and promoting access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation, which are critical in combating these diseases. The organization has also partnered with The Global Fund to address endemic malaria in Kakamega County, a leading cause of death among children and pregnant women.
“For the last five years, Amref has collaborated with county and national governments to train nearly 20,000 community health promoters to test for malaria using rapid diagnostic kits at the household level,” said Dr. Wanjuki. He noted that this effort has led to the treatment of over 5 million malaria cases, significantly saving lives and reducing the workload on health facilities.
Dr. Wanjuki commended the dedication of community health promoters, particularly in Kakamega County, for their role in improving service delivery. He also lauded their efforts in registering residents for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), reporting a rise in registration rates from below 5% in October to 14-15% by December.
Amref has pledged continued support for universal health coverage (UHC) initiatives, focusing on primary healthcare financing and networks. “Amref will prioritize the training of health assistants, strengthening electronic health information systems, and performance management systems,” said Dr. Wanjuki.
To date, 16 million Kenyans have been registered with SHIF, and 210 of the targeted 315 community health primary care networks have been established. Kakamega County has operationalized 12 primary care networks, providing a model for other counties.
Dr Deborah Mulongo, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, praised development partners for enhancing access to primary healthcare services. Kakamega County Health Minister Peninah Mukabane revealed that 4,250 community health promoters, 425 community units, and 271,000 households have already been registered for SHIF, with an additional 200,000 targeted in Malava.
Dr. Wanjuki concluded by stressing the importance of continued investment in primary healthcare and grassroots health networks, calling on the government to prioritize their registration and gazettement for nationwide operationalization.
