Trans Nzoia County has applauded the impact of partners in fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

The county has intensified the campaign to eliminate NTDs by ensuring safe and clean water projects, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Christopher Lorot applauded the “enormous contribution of partners in the campaign, which cannot be ignored.”

Lorot was speaking at county headquarters in Kitale town during the unveiling of a presentation on the interventions the government has undertaken to deal with NTDs while collaborating with partners.

He said that safe water supply and sanitation projects in the region more so in Keiyo Ward have largely helped to eradicate NTDs like bilharzia, jiggers and intestinal worms.

“Keiyo Ward had a prevalence rate of 2 per cent for bilharzia. Through boreholes and rehabilitation of Asegam Dam, the community now has clean water and the bilharzia cases have reduced,” he said.

Lorot said further that the county has set aside Ksh3 million to boost clean water and sanitation strategies. He explained that the allocation will boost intervention efforts.

Besides prevention strategies, the county has also considered curative aspect for which praziquantel tablets have been ordered and efforts to upgrade our laboratories to enable testing for bilharzia are underway.

Present was Trans Nzoia County NTD Coordinator Norbert Wesonga Musundi who said the county government is preparing key documents that include the NTD WASH coordination framework, an anti‑jigger strategic plan, and a school water and sanitation plan.

He revealed that the county has already established an NTD WASH technical working group that brings together government and non‑governmental actors.

“We also have the Environmental Health and Sanitation Act of 2022 that is due for adoption by the county assembly. Once adopted, the fight against NTDs will be boasted,” he said.

Applauding partners such as AMREF Health Africa, Global Health Alliance Kenya, End Fund and the African Institute for Health Development for supporting mass drug administration, sensitisation, and behaviour change activities, Dr Musundi to own and embrace the measures if the fight has to achieve tangible results.

The partners representative, Dr Noelah Awa, praised progress made in reducing bilharzia and intestinal worms’ cases in Trans Nzoia saying the county has seen remarkable improvements, especially in hygiene and sanitation.

 “Initially there were cases of bilharzia in Keiyo ward, worm and jiggers’ cases. These were the most prevalent diseases in this county but we have seen great improvements,” she noted.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Isaiah Nayika