Many Kenyans Continue to Sacumb to Malaria-Experts say

Nairobi, Kenya – As the community of Migori County in western Kenya gathered to lay Rosebella Awuor to rest, the air was heavy with grief. The funeral, marked by profound sorrow and wailing, underscored the devastating impact of malaria, a disease that claimed Awuor's life and that of four other family members, including her husband and two children.

Awuor, who was 31 years old, tragically lost her five-month pregnancy due to malaria before succumbing to the disease herself in December.

Her 11-year-old son now remains the sole survivor of the family, under the guardianship of his aunt, Winnie Akinyi. The presence of multiple graves within the family compound poignantly illustrates the harsh reality faced by many in regions vulnerable to malaria.

Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Kenya, particularly in warm and high rainfall areas like the coast and the western region near Lake Victoria. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported approximately 5 million malaria cases and over 12,000 deaths in Kenya, with the highest burden on children under five and pregnant women.

The country has seen some advancements, such as the pilot of the world's first malaria vaccine, which has led to a reported decrease in child mortality.

However, broader access to the vaccine remains under discussion by Kenya's health ministry.

Efforts to combat the disease traditionally include the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, spraying breeding areas, and promoting prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Yet, experts like Dr. Willis Akhwale, special adviser for the Kenya End Malaria Council, acknowledge that these methods have reached a plateau in effectiveness. Akhwale emphasized the need for innovative treatment approaches, especially in response to emerging drug-resistant cases in Africa.

"The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the distribution of drugs and treatment. We need to start looking at investments in new generation medicines that should then be able to counter any resistance in the foreseeable future," Akhwale stated.

He also highlighted a significant funding shortfall, nearly $52 million according to health ministry data, urging for increased domestic funding and private sector involvement to bridge this gap.

Local developments in drug manufacturing, such as the WHO-approved production of the antimalarial drug Spaq by Kenya-based Universal Corporation Limited, represent significant progress.

This approval marks a step forward in reducing Africa's dependency on imported drugs, which was critically exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the community mourns Awuor and reflects on the broader implications of her death, the ongoing battle against malaria highlights the urgent need for continued innovation, funding, and global cooperation to prevent further unnecessary losses to this deadly disease.