Turkana tackles measles outbreak with community outreach

In a bid to curb the deadly measles outbreak that has claimed 20 lives in Turkana County, health stakeholders have joined forces to establish case management centers and ramp up community engagement.

Located at strategically chosen dispensaries, these centers will facilitate early treatment and immunization, aiming to cut the transmission of the highly contagious disease.

Recognizing the potential roadblocks posed by cultural beliefs, the intervention further includes comprehensive sensitization programs for community health promoters, leaders, and kraal elders. These programs seek to address ingrained cultural practices that may hinder immunization efforts.

The initiative was launched at a crucial meeting held in Kakuma's UNHCR compound, bringing together county health officials, representatives from the State Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, and over ten non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"There's an urgent need to mobilize resources and contain this outbreak before it escalates further," urged the Turkana Deputy Sub-County Commissioner, Hassan Salat. He expressed concerns about a potential surge in cases with the reopening of schools in January, due to increased student interaction.

Salat highlighted additional challenges such as the nomadic lifestyle, porous borders, and congested refugee camps, while assuring the national government's full support in tackling the outbreak.

Echoing Salat's concerns, the Turkana CEC for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Francis Mariao, emphasized the critical role of proper home-based care, facility-level care, continuous vaccination, and proactive health education. He also acknowledged the challenge posed by Kenya's porous borders with Sudan and Uganda, calling for stronger cross-border collaboration.

Several prominent NGOs participated in the meeting, including UNHCR-Kenya, the International Rescue Committee, UNICEF Kenya, USAID Imarisha Jamii, USAID NAWIRI, Save the Children, Film Kenya, Peace Winds Japan, PanAfrica Kenya, and ISARAID. Their combined expertise and resources will be crucial in supporting Turkana's fight against the measles outbreak.

By establishing case management centers, addressing cultural barriers, and fostering collaboration, Turkana County is taking decisive steps to control the measles outbreak and safeguard the health of its communities. The dedication of all stakeholders involved offers hope for a swift end to this public health crisis.