Lamu, Kenya – Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has commended Lamu County’s initiatives in addressing a cholera outbreak that has claimed three lives since its declaration on November 5, 2023. The outbreak has resulted in more than 63 confirmed cases, necessitating specialized treatment at King Fahd Hospital.
According to Kenya News Agency, the county government has been proactive in deploying community health promoters to provide primary healthcare and implement public health measures. These measures include chlorinating all wells within the county, a critical step in preventing the spread of cholera. The efforts have led to a notable decrease in cholera cases, with 63 confirmed and only five currently admitted to King Fahd Hospital.
During her coastal tour to assess the cholera outbreak and other waterborne diseases, Nakhumicha revealed the Health Ministry’s collaboration with the county government. This partnership involves the distribution of three cholera kits and 6,000 nets to combat malaria, which has surged due to ongoing floods.
The Health Cabinet Secretary announced that a technical team from the Health Ministry would assist the county in managing waterborne diseases. Additionally, the national government plans to donate an oxygen concentrator and deploy an obstetrician to handle gynecology cases, including cesarean births.
Nakhumicha also mentioned the government’s consideration of upgrading King Fahd Hospital from Level 4 to Level 5, which includes installing functioning equipment for the renal unit and CT scans to replace failed equipment provided by Managed Equipment Services.
Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy echoed Nakhumicha’s sentiments, praising the community health promoters for their pivotal role in providing primary healthcare services and combating the outbreak. He disclosed that the county government has allocated Kshs 40 million for relief efforts and to address waterborne diseases caused by the El Niño rains.
Additionally, the governor highlighted the chlorination of 2,157 wells under the supervision of community health promoters, emphasizing their contribution to achieving Universal Healthcare coverage across the country.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura provided further insights, noting that the national government has set up 11 additional camps for the displaced, with two located in Lamu. He mentioned ongoing rescue operations, with key roads remaining impassable due to flooding, posing challenges to relief efforts.
Mwaura reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to relief operations and infrastructure improvements as key strategies to mitigate the impacts of floods and the spread of waterborne diseases in the region. He also stressed the collaborative efforts between the government and humanitarian agencies in addressing the current crisis due to floods in Lamu and Tana River.