A malaria outbreak in Vihiga county has killed 22 people in one week even as the drugs shortage crisis persists.
Mr Caleb Amaswache, the Vihiga deputy governor and county health executive officer, majority of the causalities are from primary and secondary schools in the area.
“Statistics from the facilities I have visited indicate that a total of 22 children died of malaria last week due to lack of drugs. I am also aware that a number of patients were also turned away because of lack of drugs,” Amaswache told the Daily Nation.
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Mr Amaswache said they were supplied with Actal tablets and anti-venom drugs instead of the anti-malaria drugs. “I am surprised that most of health centres do not have basic drugs such as paracetamol,” Amaswache explained.
Mr Amaswache disclosed that the cold weather is the major cause of the malaria outbreak. Emusire, Epali, Ebusilatsi health centres and Ebusyubi and Ematsoli dispensaries in Luanda and Emuhaya sub-counties have the largest number of casualties.
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