The county government of Trans Nzoia, in collaboration with health partners, has intensified its efforts to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across the five sub-counties. The focus is particularly on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis.
The county executive committee member in charge of health Samson Ojwang stated that the fight against NTDs has concentrated on preventive strategies that include sensitization campaigns conducted by community health promoter
"We have been conducting a detailed mapping survey to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the region. Our findings reveal a 7% prevalence rate for Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH),” Mr. Ojwang explained.
The Assistant Director of Public Health in the county Robert Musundi emphasized the importance of targeting vulnerable groups in specific wards where the risk is highest.
He also noted that the county government is focusing on equipping all public health facilities with the necessary testing kits to diagnose these ailments.
"Intensive sensitization efforts are being directed towards Cherang'any, Suwerwa, and Keiyo wards. These efforts are crucial for reducing the spread of NTDs, especially in areas where access to healthcare may be limited,” he noted.
In addition to awareness campaigns, Musundi highlighted that a budget has been allocated to equip health facilities with the necessary drugs to manage these conditions. This is a critical component in protecting those most at risk.
However, challenges remain, particularly in Keiyo ward, where testing and obtaining results have been problematic with Testing and requesting results have proven to be a significant challenge.
David Osaya, a pharmacist, stated that the county government has actively been involved in administering anti-helminthic treatments throughout the county. These efforts are aimed at reducing the prevalence of these diseases through a combination of medical treatment, education, and community involvement.
The Public Health Officer in charge of school health and NTDs in the county Anne Limo said they have also intensified mass drug administration and school-based programs to reach more children across the county.
“Our partners, including Community-Led Total Sanitation, Rotary Sweden, Amref Health Africa, and the Africa Institute of Health and Development, are involved in mass drug administration and sensitization on sanitation,” Mrs. Limo said.
SABOTI SUBCOUNTY-JIGGER ERADICATION
NTDs Combat Initiative Saves Bedridden Elderly Man from Severe Jigger Infestation
When Mr. Paul Ekai, a widower, was involved in a road accident, he did not anticipate that his bedridden state in his mud-walled house could lead to a jigger infestation, which subsequently worsened his health condition.
Mr. Ekai, who hails from Namboko village in Machewa Ward, Trans Nzoia County, found it difficult to manage when jiggers spread across all the toes on his feet, worsening his already limited mobility.
“I was sleeping on a mattress laid directly on a soil floor, which exposed me to jiggers that attacked my toes and affected my mobility. I had to deal with double trouble,” he narrated at his homestead.
The situation was only addressed when a community health promoter, Mrs. Eunice Makheti, intervened and implemented mitigation measures such as smearing the floor of the house with cow dung to combat the jiggers.
“We also provided him with jigger eradication medication, which successfully eliminated the parasites. This allowed him some relief, even as he continued to cope with the physical harm he suffered from the accident,” said Mrs. Makheti.
To avoid re-infestation of the jiggers, the team developed a hygienic strategy that involved convincing his neighbor Gladys Nanjala to handle the cleaning of his house and setting up a latrine and wash point.
The health officer in charge of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Saboti Sub County, Mercy Obonyo, stated that research indicated Machewa Ward has the highest number of jigger infestations in Trans Nzoia, prompting the implementation of mitigation measures.
“We launched a campaign, in collaboration with partners, to combat the jigger infestation through eradication efforts and by sensitizing residents on how to eliminate the predisposing factors,” said Mrs. Obonyo.
The Machewa Ward public health officer, Malakwen Kipchumba, stated that they have chemicals to eradicate jiggers at the Lukhome Health Center, including potassium permanganate and other necessary supplies.
“We are addressing several neglected diseases, with jiggers being a key concern. Currently, we have only a few cases, thanks to our intensified campaign to tackle the issue, that has benefited 523 indicidualsd” said Mr. Kipchumba.
SABOTI SUBCOUNTY-WORMS ERADICATION
Fight Against Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Saboti takes shape
The battle against Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) in Saboti Sub-county has gained momentum, with community health sensitization initiatives making significant strides in improving public health.
It was through the intervention of a community health promoter that Caro Wanyama, a resident of Namboko village in Machewa ward, discovered that intestinal worms were responsible for her children's constant ill health.
“My school-going children had been experiencing bloating and a lack of appetite for a long time, which affected their eating and school attendance. It was only when community health promoter Eunice Makheti intervened that we received the help we needed,” Mrs. Wanyama said.
Mrs. Makheti said when she visited the homestead and noticed the challenge, she administered Albendazole tablets to the children over a span of three months. This treatment restored their health and allowed them to resume normal school attendance.
“I also advised her to set up an additional pit latrine on the property due to the growing population, especially since her sons have married. This will help prevent the spread of soil-transmitted helminths,” the community health promoter said.
“I was educated on the importance of using toilets and participated in a handwashing program. We began following these hygiene practices," Mrs Wanyama explained.
The public health officer in charge of the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the sub county Mercy Obonyo highlighted a significant finding from 2021 concerning Soil-Transmitted Helminths.
“A granular mapping revealed that Machewa ward had an STH prevalence of 8.1%, which exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold. Most of the cases were of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis” said Mrs. Obonyo.
The local health teams have been actively working to ensure that every household in the area has access to latrines and washing points at critical locations, such as near food preparation areas and places where children are cleaned.
"Our message to the team has been clear, insisting on General hygiene must be strictly observed, especially when handling food and cleaning babies,” said emphasizing the critical need for community-wide interventions.