The Ministry of Health, Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit (VBNTDU) aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in Kenya by 2025 in line with the Kenya Breaking Transmission Strategy (2019 – 2023) and the Kenya NTD Masterplan. VBNTDU, through its National Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (NPELF), has been providing preventive chemotherapy over the years, through Mass Drug Administrations (MDAs), and has carried out consecutive and successful rounds of MDA in 6 target counties in the Coastal Region (Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Tana River). These MDAs have successfully broken the chain of transmission of LF in 18 out of 23 sub-counties, based on recent surveys done by VBNTDU and supported by The END Fund.
The breaking of LF transmission has necessitated a move from MDAs, to Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP). This shift is expected to result in a lot more focus in helping the affected communities manage the devastating effects of LF such as hydroceles, lymphoedema and other complications.
As part of activities geared towards MMDP, VBNTDU in collaboration with Amref Health Africa and the University of Nairobi's Department of Surgery, with support from The END Fund, today (May 11th, 2023) embarked on a workshop for the development of a training package for hydrocelectomy, aimed at addressing the second pillar of Lymphatic Filariasis elimination-Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP). The workshop that brought together surgeons, led by the Chairman of the Department of Surgery Dr Julius Kiboi, anaestetists, consultant urologists, urology residents from the University of Nairobi, and nurses from Kenyattta National Hospital and MP Shah Hospital, is expected to develop a training package that will be utilized in the training of local healthcare workers including surgeons and medical officers, anaestetists, and theatre nurses in the 6 targeted Coastal Counties. This first phase of MMDP trainings will focus on hydrocele surgeries, while the second training, that is planned for later in the year, will delve into the management of lymphoedema.
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