#didyouknow that 1.4% of blindness is caused by Trachoma?
We are glad that EK was able to join the Ministry of Health for mass treatment of Trachoma in Kajiado County to both treat the positive cases, but also to stop the quick spread.
Trachoma is a highly contagious eye infection that causes small sores on the inside of the eyelid. Repeat infections will leave scars and a deformity in the eyelid, which then starts to damage the lens of the eye; leading to blindness.
This bacteria can be passed through dust, flies, and by touch. It is important to have a clean face and hands while making sure your home is clean, far from animal pens (to reduce flies), and you go for treatment when symptoms arise.
The WHO recommends that the percentage of positive cases in an area should be less than 5%, but last year the rate went as high as 10.71% of children ages 1-9 years in Kajiado County. Because of this outbreak, the WHO provided medication for mass treatment in Kajiado County to both treat the positive cases, but also to stop the quick spread.
This mass treatment is taking place in three parts.
- December 2021 a 7-day push for treatments of all people living in Kajiado County.
- August 2022 a second 7-day push to treat all people living in Kajiado County.
- Spring of 2023 a third 7-day push to treat all people living in Kajiado County.
Entepesi Kenya was able to assist in the second 7-day push to provide treatments to men, women, and children and support the teams administering the medication. For three days, EK assisted in the Kimana Ward. We were able to walk door to door educating people about trachoma, handing out medication to 580 adults & children, delivering medical supplies to teams far from town, and providing support to the Kimana Health Center.
The overall goal for the Kimana Ward was to serve 18,575 adults & children. During this campaign, they succeeded in reaching 76% of their target which was a total of 14,100 adults and children.
EK is proud to serve the community, and for the partnership with the Ministry of Health.
