Winstone Chiseremi @Wchiseremi

Elgeyo Marakwet county has recalled all doctors and nurses who are on leave to boost efficiency in attending to the huge number of patients seeking treatment following a suspected malaria outbreak in the region.

Area Deputy Governor Wesley Rotich said they have been forced to recall all medics who were on leave to attend to the  high number of people seeking treatment at public health facilities in the region after developing symptoms of malaria.

“The number of patients seeking treatment at various public hospitals has dramatically shot up piling pressure on the few staff that are on duty following the outbreak of malaria,” he  said.

The move comes after the death of four people, including a 14-year-old Form One student at Sing’ore Girls High School and an eight-year-old, who succumbed to malaria three days ago.

 The student, Vivian Kenei, died on arrival at Iten County Referral Hospital where she had been rushed for treatment after complaining of high fever, headache and profuse sweating. 

Avail  drugs

She will be laid to rest on Saturday at her parents’ home in Strawburg area on Eldoret-Ravine highway in Uasin Gishu county.

The other deceased persons, including the child, died at Arror Dispensary in Kerio Valley on arrival for treatment.

 At the same time, three out of 20 secondary school students who were admitted at the hospital due to a malaria attack on Tuesday were discharged yesterday.

The rest are set to be discharged on today, according to a senior medic who declined to be named.

A spot check by People Daily on dispensaries in Arror location established that there were increased numbers of patients seeking malaria treatment.

At Sangach and Arror dispensaries, there were only four health workers attending to more than 200 patients.

Area chief Timothy Limo urged the county to avail more malaria treatment drugs to avert more calamities.

The regional government has attributed the rise in cases of malaria to delay by Kenya Medical Supply Agency to supply anti-malaria drugs to counties prone to the disease on time.