Facts
The following are facts about malaria.
The government in collaboration with other partners has developed the 10-year Kenyan National Malaria Strategy (KNMS) 2001-2010 (link) which was launched in April 2001. Its goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with malaria by 30% by 2006 and to maintain it up to 2010.
1. Case management
This approach deals with the formulation and implementation of malaria treatment policy issues.
2. Management of malaria and anaemia in pregnancy
This approach addresses the provision of malaria prevention measures and treatment of pregnant women.
3. Vector control
This approach ensures that the risk communities use insecticide treated mosquito nets to significantly reduce rates of the disease and other methods through Integrated Vector Management.
4. Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR)
This approach improves epidemic preparedness and response by establishing malaria early warning systems and carrying out preventive measures such as the Indoor Residue Spraying (IRS) campaigns.
In addition to the four strategic approaches, the NMS outlines two vital cross cutting strategies required to support the above strategic approaches, namely:
The level of malaria endemicity in Kenya varies from region to region and there is a huge risk diversity of malaria infection. This is driven by climate conditions such as temperature and altitude. Kenyan counties are categorised into five classes of ecology based on malaria infection risk. They include:
1. Lakeside endemic areas
These are counties close to Lake Victoria where transmission is throughout the year.
2. Coastal endemic areas
These are counties with similar characteristics as the lakeshore in endemicity. However, malaria transmission and risks periods are seasonal and transmission intensity is lower toward the Somali border.
3. Highlands endemic areas
The prevalence of malaria parasite is low in these areas. There is always probability of malaria transmission and risk in this region but it is generally low on an average year. However, rainfall and ambient temperature variations in between the year can lead to epidemics thus affecting community members.
4. Arid seasonal areas
These are counties in the north eastern and western regions. Malaria is experienced only in communities that live near water bodies. These regions experience low rainfall during the year thus the malaria transmission parasites are few and there is low infection prevalence rates in children.
5. Low malaria risk areas
These are highlands within Central and Nairobi area. Some areas do not experience any malaria transmission risks such as Nyeri, Nairobi and Nakuru.
The graphs below shows some other achievements.
Source: HMIS and DOMU
Routine data from Health Management Information System and the weekly reports from Disease Outbreak Management Unit shows a gradual decrease in malaria cases in the country.
2006 – 2007 Budget (Kenya Shillings) | 2006 – 2007 Budget (Kenya Shillings) | |
Required | 6.9 Billion | 7.5 Billion |
Allocated | 4.7 Billion | 5.2 Billion |
Expenditure | 4.4 Billion | - |
Gap | 2.2 Billion | 2.3 Billion |
Kenya is making progress in achieving malaria MDG's and Abuja targets through continued partnership.
Malaria Control Issue No 1
About 25 million of the total popuation of 33 million Kenyans is at risk of contracting Malaria. Each year about 34,000 children under 5 years of age die from malaria and about 8 million... Read More
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