Floods situation: Govt moves in to prevent disease outbreak in displacement camps

The Ministry of Health has embarked on an exercise that will see a combined effort with county governments to combat diseases that may arise from the ongoing rains.

Speaking when she visited persons displaced by floods at the Masinde Muliro grounds in Mathare alongside officials from Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya) where they distributed water purification products, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni noted that the ongoing rains posed a grave danger of water-borne diseases that may be the next frontier for disaster if not arrested early.

The PS who was also in the company of Nairobi County Government officials called for the usage of Community Health Promoters in disseminating information to persons in counties affected by the ongoing floods, moreso, in passing information on where they can get help, and how to enhance their health protection during this season.

The PS noted already there was already a danger of a prevalence of Malaria countrywide due to the stagnant water.

“Currently, malaria prevalence in the country stands at 6% but this may go up. We need to act fast.” PS Muthoni noted.

Already, some parts of the country have reported water-borne diseases, especially cholera.

The donated water purification product would ensure families living in the camps can access clean drinking water, a rare commodity during these flooding times.

On its part, the Nairobi County Government has committed to increasing surveillance across the county where humanitarian aid is needed to reduce disease prevalence.

PS Muthoni also committed to providing adequate medical care to affected Kenyans.