A mosquito net used to fence a vegetable farm. Wrong use of mosquito nets has been discouraged by Kisumu Health CeC Dr Lusi Ojwang’. [Photo: hivisasa.com]
Kisumu Health CeC Dr Lusi Ojwang’ has encouraged residents of Nyakach to use bed nets for their intended purposes.
During the launch of free distribution of nets at Nyakach County Hospital, Ojwang’ took issue that several locals used the nets for fishing in the lakes and farming.
“I have raised this issue in the county assembly and it is under legislation. If you use the nets for fishing and fencing farm produce, that might be punishable in the near future,” he said.
Ojwang' who is also the county secretary, said the insecticides used on nets to keep away mosquitoes were harmful to the ecosystem and should not be used on farm produce that are meant for consumption or in water as this endangers the life of aquatic animals.
County First Lady, Olivia Ranguma who also officiated the program expressed her concern for pregnant mothers, the elderly and children who get infected with malaria.
Mrs Ranguma explained that Malaria was a prime contributor to death reported in the county.
The County in collaboration with National Malaria Control Program therefore came up with strategies to control the levels of infection
“We strategised to at least have people use appropriate prevention methods which includes sleeping under treated nets and strengthen advocacy for malaria so that 80 per cent of the county population have knowledge on the same," she said.
“As a result, the County has made much progress over the years as 75 per cent of its populace now sleep under nets. We expect every household by 2018 will have the treated nets,” she added.
The stakeholders in collaboration with Malaria Control Unit plans to issue seven 100,000 nets to the locals in the county that has a population of approximately 1.3 million.