Kenyan and Chinese governments have entered into a partnership seeking to strengthen the fight against Malaria in Kenya.
Kenya hopes to eradicate Malaria infections through the partnership which has been tested to work effectively.
In Comoros Island for example, through help from Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Malaria infection has been reduced by up to 90 percent within the past two years.
Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleophas Mailu said the country is upbeat about reducing Malaria infection through the partnership.
He spoke during a one-day seminar held in Nairobi titled: “China-Africa symposium on the fast elimination of malaria through the source of eradication.”
“The strategy is tested and proven, and we will be happy to replicate the good practices countrywide. A partnership with China is a viable option,” said Mailu.
Kenya has made tremendous progress in the fight against Malaria. Statistics indicate that in 2010, about 30 percent of outpatient visits in hospitals were attributed to Malaria.
But this has dropped to 11 percent currently. People living in areas where there are large water bodies such as Lake Victoria are more vulnerable to getting infected with Malaria.
For example, in Nyanza region, out of every 1000 people tested for Malaria, 27 tests positive.
Mailu said that though the government has made progress in fighting the disease, they are now geared for its total eradication.
“We have been able to control the vector bone disease, but it is time to eradicate it.”
“We are keen to explore all available, effective strategies which adhere to the WHO accepted regulations to fight Malaria,” added the Health CS.
Vice Director of National Health and Planning commission of China and director of state administration of traditional Chinese medicine, Wang Guoqianq, promised to work together with Keya in eradicating Malaria.
“China is willing to fulfill its international responsibilities and work together with African countries, developing a quicker and more cost-effective plan in the process of realizing the Belt and Road initiative, as well as helping Africans get rid of Malaria,” he said.