Lodwar, July 12, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The County Department of Health and Sanitation will conduct an assessment to determine the prevalence of parasitic worm-related diseases, including bilharzia and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), in schools.

The assessment, supported by Amref Health Africa in Kenya, will target 5 to 15 schools along or near water bodies in selected wards. The results will inform whether mass drug administration across the county is necessary.

“The mapping will generate reliable data to guide future bilharzia and STH treatment strategies,” said Margaret Lokota, Head of Unit Strategic Programs.

Jimmy Loree, Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordinator, emphasized the importance of mapping to understand where at-risk populations reside, to plan and target available resources to achieve maximum impact on disease burden.

School Health Coordinator Rael Akoru advocated for the inclusion of social behavioral change communication targeting children to discontinue open defecation and urination along rivers.

The meeting was attended by selected members of the County Health Management Team, representatives from the National Ministry of Health and Administration, and Sub-county Public Health Officers.