More than 20 people have succumbed to Malaria in Tiaty, Baringo County.
Majority of them are children below the age of five years.
The cases have been reported by locals in various villages to medics operating mobile clinics in the vast remote sub-county.
Tirioko Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Sam Lokales blamed the county and national government for failing to contain the killer disease that was first reported in the ward, before spreading to other localities.
Mr Lokales said majority of those who have lost their lives could not access timely medication.
He attributed the deaths to lack of medics to operate various health centres and dispensaries that have been deserted, thanks to the ongoing Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).
“It is worrying that despite the high number of deaths reported, more victims are still succumbing to the killer disease that has highly affected children,” Lokales said.
He added that despite the spread of Malaria, the government has not managed to supply enough antimalarial drugs to those affected.
Residents in the area, he noted, do not have mosquito nets, to prevent them from being bitten by mosquitos.
“The government should treat malaria cases as an emergency, but it is unfortunate that despite the high number of deaths, residents have not been supplied with drugs or even mosquito nets, ” he added.
Lack of adequate health facilities to cater for those suffering from Malaria has been a huge hindrance in taming the outbreak.
The nearest hospital to serve patients is Chemolingot sub county hospital, a facility with a capacity of only 12beds, located more than 80 Km away.
“We need medical camps installed within several villages to handle high number of patients, ” Lokales observed.
The hospital is currently receiving between 40 and 70 Malaria patients daily, according to Tiaty sub-county health service coordinator Joseph Nakopir.
There is blood shortage in the facility that is required for transfusion of patients who have developed anaemia.
Nakopir said majority of children received at the hospital are in critical condition and require blood transfusion.
“Majority of children received here have anaemia and require transfusion to save their lives, we need volunteers to donate blood, ” he said.
The problem is further compounded by insecurity. According to Tiaty Sub-county coordinator, some medics have been forced to flee as a result of the episodic insecurity.
Examples of hospitals affected by incidences of insecurity include Kapau dispensary in Torioko Ward and Kapedo.
Nginyang assistant county Commissioner Paul Kiriako said the government is keen on supplying much needed relief food and other humanitarian items.
“Relief food shall be supplied among affected families because most are not able to afford meals,” said Kiriako.
Mobile clinics continue to operate in the sub-county to reach out to patients in remote areas who cannot access hospitals.
About five counties and a refugee camp are grappling with the Malaria outbreak.
The Ministry of Health, there are about 733 cases that have been reported in various places that include; Marsabit which is leading win fatalities from Malaria, Lamu, Turkana, Baringo, lower West Pokot and Kakuma refugee camp.
