Silverio Omari
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced that one person has died from Mpox, with 13 confirmed cases reported since the virus was first detected in the country. Speaking on Monday, Health Director General Patrick Amoth explained that the patient who succumbed had pre-existing health conditions. “Eight patients have recovered and returned home, while four remain hospitalized,” Amoth said. The cases were identified from 236 samples tested in laboratories, and the virus has been confirmed in 10 counties.
Amoth made these remarks in Nairobi as the Ministry received a donation of 15.2 million tablets for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) from the World Health Organization, valued at $1.6 million (Ksh.213 million).
Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa praised the donation, noting that it will significantly aid in combating the spread of NTDs. The tablets will be used to address three neglected endemic tropical diseases—Lymphatic filariasis, Soil-transmitted helminths, and Schistosomiasis—which are targeted for elimination by 2027.
CS Barasa added that the medication will be distributed in an upcoming mass drug administration campaign, focusing on 15 counties in the Coastal region, Lake Victoria Basin, and Western Region, which have high infection rates.
“As we roll out this campaign, I want to highlight the essential role of community health promoters in ensuring its success in endemic areas,” she said. “Additionally, I direct teams to register all household members visited for the Social Health Insurance Fund, enabling them to access affordable services under the Universal Health Programme.”
