By Lilian Okwili
Kenya has improved in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that have affected many people due to negligence. This has been achieved by the Ministry of Health working together with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and other partners.
Director of Medical Services Dr. Jackson Kioko has affirmed the ministry’s commitment towards control of neglected tropical diseases by increasing financial support. NTDs are a diverse group of about 20 communicable diseases in tropical and sub-tropical regions affecting billions of people and about 130 countries, Kenya being one of them.
“In addition to the immense support that our NTD programme receives from donors, partners, the ministry has trained staff and equipped regional laboratories deliberately to build capacity in terms if mapping of NTDs and monitoring interventions. This year, Kenya is about to be declared guinea worm free and to this end the government has led from the front in conducting a high level Guinea worm campaign” said Dr. Kioko.
The theme of the conference is partnership towards the achievement of global goals for control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases. “The second strategic plan for control of NTDs 2016-2020 outlines the approaches with which control and elimination of all NTDs of public health due to poverty, lack of safe water, proper sanitation and housing.” He added.
He also said that building on the past successes, the ministry aims to foster and build more partnerships through advocacy that is driven by the need for a strong coordination mechanism resulting in a well-integrated NTD programme.
The NTD was established in the ministry to spearhead the resource mobilization and lavage on cost cutting through a well- coordinated and intergraded efficient programme. He cited the school based deworming programme which is a big success story and has an estimated 80 per cent of all school age children receiving preventive chemotherapy every year.
This has reduced school absenteeism by 25 per cent. Dr. Kioko said that with the resultant soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) prevalence among school age children the programme ought to think how to reach adult population whom studies have shown that they bear a big burden of the STH infection.
He further said that Filariasis control that was launched in 2015 is currently in the 3rd year of consistent implementation. More than 2.5 million people at risk of morbidity, disability and stigmatization are receiving drugs every year within the coast region. This has put well on course towards achieving the global goal of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by the year 2020.
“In order to inform policy formulation and change, there is need for extensive operational research for NTD control activities. As we roll out the much needed interventions we appreciate the need for a robust monitoring and evaluation system which will be backed by an equal robust national and regional/ county surveillance mechanism.
Am hoping that this will be the major focus of discussion in this conference because it is only with an effective monitoring and evaluation system in placethat we can demonstrate achievement and of transmission breaking points,” said Dr. Kioko.
