By Anthony Zoka
The Department of Health, county government of Kilifi, has maintained that measures to fight Malaria have resulted in a decrease in infection rate from 8 % to 5% in the last 5 years.
According to director of medical services Doctor Hassan Leli, plans are on to engage youth in the war against malaria.
Speaking at Chonyi, Leli revealed that the department has shifted focus to target the youth in what he said is an intensive campaign against Malaria.
βYes, we have seen a decrease in infection, but statistics indicate most youth are affected despite children under 5 years and pregnant women being at risk, that is why we are now using sports to bring youth onboard.β Noted Leli
The director noted that youth are vulnerable to malaria drug resistance as some fail to adhere to safety measures as prescribed by medical personnel.
During this yearβs world malaria day celebration held at Chonyi, members of the public were entertained by a soccer derby between Red Stars Fc against Amigo Fc, a match that saw Red Star clinching the Malaria campaign trophy courtesy of World Friends.
Leli noted that previous campaigns among them mass net distribution have impacted well on children and women adding that further efforts are being implemented to reduce the 5% infection rate.
βIn our previous mass net distribution, Kilifi County we covered about 99.1 % of our population however we see increased malaria cases in boarding schools where the majority are the youth and as a department we are narrowing to stop this trend.: said revealed Leli.
Similar sentiments were shared by Kilifi County malaria control coordinator, Dr. Chimwaga Mwamuye revealed that current recorded cases of malaria have affected members of the society between 8 to 28 years.
According to Dr. Mwamuye the old generation and young children adhere to precaution in use of treated mosquito nets unlike the youth who some tend to think they are strong leading to increased death as a result of Malaria.
βAs this yearβs malaria day theme, βMalaria ends with us; reinvest, reimagine, reigniteβ call for new ways of who we engage the community in the war against malaria.β He spoke.
In Kilifi County, Ganze, Kilifi South, Kaloleni and Rabai sub counties, are among the areas with high cases of malaria infection.
However, Dr. Mwamuye called on a collaborative effort among different stakeholders geared towards the war against Malaria.
βThe department of health has been working well with our partners towards realizing our goal to end malaria in Kilifi, we donβt take this for granted as we call for more engagement especially in our new moves to use sports.β He acknowledged.
