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Kwale residents warned against misusing treated mosquito nets

From right, Health executive Francis Gwama, Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo (C), left County Commissioner Stephen Orinde during the distribution of 560,000 nets on May 1, 2024, in Kwale. Photo: Mishi Gongo

By Mishi Gongo | 03 May 2024

According to the deputy governor, the purpose of the mosquito nets is to shield locals from mosquito bites, which are the vector that spreads malaria.

Kwale villagers have been advised against misusing treated mosquito nets distributed by the government to combat malaria. Locals were observed to use insecticide-treated nets for uses other than mosquito protection.

Among the misuses noted during the distribution were employing nets to shield chicks from crows and building ropes to tether goats.

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Chirema Kombo, the county deputy governor, spoke on Wednesday during the distribution of 560,000 treated mosquito nets, urging proper net usage to break the malaria transmission cycle.

Kwale County is among the 28 malaria-endemic regions in the country.

"We do not expect to see these nets under mango trees protecting chicks, please use them as per the intended purpose," he said.

A mosquito net used as protection for chicks from crows, Kwale County. Photo: Mishi Gongo

According to the deputy governor, the purpose of the mosquito nets is to shield locals from mosquito bites, which are the vector that spreads malaria.

He said the nets will be distributed to 165,000 households in the county

The deputy governor, accompanied by county commissioner Stephen Orinde and Health executive Francis Gwama said the goal is to encourage everyone to sleep inside the treated nets, especially the malaria-vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children under five years.

Malaria is one of Kenya's leading causes of death and a serious public health concern.

"Kwale county government will be waging a total war against malaria in the communities to enhance the health of residents," he said adding that the county will not back-pedal on its efforts towards sensitisation and awareness campaigns against malaria.

The deputy governor said the county government in collaboration with the national government is aiming at distributing the mosquito nets in every village across the county with the help of ward administrators, chiefs and their assistants, and community health promoters to ensure every household has received them.

"The main objective of the net distribution programme is to curtail the spread of malaria which for decades has had adverse socio-economic effects on residents," he said adding that the elimination of malaria depended on contributions and support from all.

He said the county has started distributing the treated nets as part of its malaria prevention strategy, especially during this long rainy season when malaria is prevalent.

County Commissioner Orinde emphasised the need for households to take advantage of the free-treated nets.

Orinde expressed the national government's commitment to preventative healthcare and called for proper net usage to break the malaria transmission cycle.

He called on members of the public to use the mosquito nets given to them as their intended purpose and to stop converting them to other improper uses.

"Some of you are taking the treated nets for other purposes which are not sleeping under them, please use them properly," he said.

Rumours have circulated among residents that the treated nets pose health risks, with some people claiming to have suffocated or died as a result of using them.

Francis Gwama, the county health executive, refuted the rumours, advising the people to use the treated nets as directed later.

"Before you begin using them, let them air out. This is a countrywide operation; if the nets weren't good, they wouldn't be given out," he stated.