135,000 people vaccinated against cholera in Suba South

The County Government of Homa Bay through the Department of Health achieved its target of administering oral cholera vaccine to 135,000 persons who were targeted, the local leadership has announced.

The ten-day exercise started on August 3 and was carried out in Suba South sub-county which had the highest cholera infections in Homa Bay.

According to the County's Public Health and Medical Services Dr Kevin Osuri, by the end of the exercise, the County had already achieved 100 per cent coverage.

"I want to report that as the department of health, by August 12 we had recorded 100 success in administering OCV to the residents of Suba South," Osuri revealed.

Suba South sub-county had experienced the brunt of the Cholera outbreak for the last three months and was a beneficiary of the campaign alongside eight other sub-counties across Kenya.

The vaccination drive targeted all persons above the age of one year.

"I want to congratulate our health personnel who were involved in the exercise for the exemplary work they have done," Osuri added.

During the exercise, the trained vaccinators moved from house to house, schools, churches, markets, health facilities and other public gatherings to ensure that those who were targeted are reached.

According to Osuri, Homa Bay has in the past experienced a number of infections which has forced the county government to close down some open-air markets and ban selling of food along the roadside.

"Sindo township was one of the major epicentres of the cholera infections in Homa Bay where a high number of infections were recorded and we were even forced to close down the main market and ban public gatherings to contain further spread," the chief officer added.

Osuri, however, emphasized the need to observe basic sanitation and hygiene practices saying these are the only ways the further spread of infections can be avoided.

The exercise was supported by World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with the National Ministry of Health and the County Government.

"I want to call pon all County residents to actively participate in the fight against cholera by adhering to essential public health measures," he avered.

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) provided the Ministry of Health with 1,533,199 doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine for the exercise in the eight most affected counties.

The counties included Homa Bay (Suba South), Kajiado (Kajiado East), Marsabit (Moyale), Nairobi (Kamukunji and Embakasi Central), Wajir (Wajir North), Mandera (Mandera East), Machakos, and Garissa.

Osuri was speaking at Rachuonyo Lever Four Hospital when he made a routine visit to the second-largest health facility in Homa Bay.

The officer, however, also urged the locals to register for National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) saying only 19 per cent of the county residents have enrolled for the health cover services.

"The cost of human care keeps on rising day in day out and we want everyone to register for the Insurance health cover services which will go a long way in settling our health bills and being in good harmony with the hospital and the authority in case of any illness," Osuri stated.