There has been an upsurge in new cases of malaria reported in health facilities in the county. Data from 12 health facilities across Loima, Lokiriama, and Turkana Central Sub-counties, revealed an increase in malaria cases. This data has been verified by a team from Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), under the National Ministry of Health.
The FELTP team, which spent eight days in the field, disseminated the data to the County Executive for Health and Sanitation Longole Wangiros and Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive health Cathra Abdi.
The FELTP team lead, Raphael Nyawa, shared that they had observed 13 new malaria cases within two hours at the Naotin Dispensary in Turkana Central, highlighting the upsurge. According to the Kenya Health Information System, in 2024 June and July the county reported 76,516 positive malaria cases.
Wangiros said the County Department of Health and Sanitation has renewed focus on data-driven strategies to arrest the situation. “Our decisions should now be firmly based on data, ensuring that our resources are allocated where they are most needed,” said the Health County Executive.
He further noted that on-the-job training on recording keeping was required as the dissemination had revealed discrepancies in the skills among the staff. In response to the upsurge, the county health department is also seeking to strengthen the Community Epidemic Preparedness and Response to better manage the upsurges.
The County Malaria Coordinator, David Ekai, added that the program had conducted mentorship sessions aimed at improving the diagnosis and classification of malaria cases in some of the facilities.