By Alloys Musyoka
Victims of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and health professionals in Kwale county have warned that donor funding withdrawal plans by AMREF in the area will badly affect thousands waiting to be treated.
Key donors have announced plans to withdraw funding for healthcare programs targeting 21 neglected tropical disease affected counties in Kenya.
The End Fund- Amref Health Africa is among donors that have been supporting elderly people suffering from hydroceles to get treated by footing their hospital bills after a wider campaign to communities.
Kwale county is among regions that are highly endemic for Neglected Tropical Diseases Particularly Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) soil-transmitted helminths (worms) and urinary schistosomiasis among others.
Since the campaign to end NTDs in the area ten years ago over 1400 people suffering from lymphatic filariasis have been screened in preparation for operation to be conducted according to Kwale hospital medical superintendent Paul Gathuma.
“From 2023 we have screened 848 people across the entire Kwale county and only 100 operations have been conducted that are purely sponsored by Amref health Africa in Kenya. After sensitization across the region we have had many other cases of sick people seeking medical attention and that is why the number is around 1400 by now,” he added.
He said that the AMREF withdrawal plans will affect many patients who are on the waiting list to be operated after screening, adding that the exercise has been ongoing in Kinango,Matuga,Msambweni,LungaLunga and Samburu hospitals.
Doctor Paul said that areas recording high cases of lymphatic filariasis include Vanga in LungaLunga,Mwaluphamba in Matuga,Tsunza and Lutsangani in Kinango.
One of the recent victims Abdallaha Mwamtsami said that funds withdrawal by the organization will affect many patients like him who cannot afford to pay over 300,000 for operation.
Speaking to journalists at Kwale hospital after his operation that saw a 7.5 liters hydrocele removed Mwamtsami said that Amref has done a very commendable job for helping the sick in the area.
The automotive painter from Tiwi and a father of five said that he was taken to hospital for operation after a sensitization program reached his village encouraging those suffering from Neglected Tropical diseases to come out for treatment.
“I have spent 13 years carrying 7.5 hydrocele at work and everywhere until yesterday when it was removed. I really appreciate Amref for the support and urge them not to withdraw funding so that others suffering like me can get help,” he said.
Ramadhan Gasambi from Ganze village in Matuga also narrated how he was operated at Kwale hospital courtesy of AMREF health Africa organization saying that withdrawing funding for such a program is disastrous.
The father of six children said that many elderly men are suffering due to lack of funds to pay for treatment adding that entry of Amref support has eased the burden a lot.
He called on the donors not to consider withdrawing since many patients waiting to be operated are in danger of losing lives.
