[Kisii County Executive in charge of health Sarah Omache in a past event. she says Kenya loses Sh 27 billion in treating sanitation-related diseases annually. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Kenya loses Sh 27 billion in treating sanitation-related diseases annually.
This is according to the report issued by the Kenya open defecation free campaign road map 2020.
Kisii County Health CEC Ms Sarah Omache said the problem has been exacerbated by open defecation and lack of toilets in many rural areas in the country.She was speaking during a ceremony to mark the elevation of 53 villages in Masaba South sub-county to Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.The event was held in the wake of the ministry’s construction of toilets in the region in a bid to curb opportunistic ailments caused by lack of proper sanitation. Addressing a gathering at Masimba Market, Ms Omache hailed the achievement as a milestone in the sector.“Today’s achievement marks a major milestone in our fight to eradicate sanitation-related ailments in the area over the last two decades. By celebrating the status achieved by the 53 villages and five sub locations, we are displaying our determination to replicate this success in the entire county by 2018,” said Ms Omache.She said the Kisii County Health Department has projected the year 2018 to be fully open defecation free for the entire county.“Our target is in line with the national vision to achieve universal ODF by 2020. We remain confident of meeting our target within the set deadline,” said Ms Omache.Kisii County Public Health Officer Mr Mellitus Kabar said the country loses Sh 27 billion in fighting sanitation-related diseases.“By building proper toilets, we will be able to redirect the funds previously by creating job opportunities in other sectors and enhancing development to healthy residents.He appealed to locals from other quarters to embrace healthy sanitation in their homes to avert diseases like cholera.The Ministry of Health has intensified campaign to accelerate access to adequate sanitation and hygiene in all counties and end Open Defecation in Kenya (ODF) by 2020.Over the past three years Kenya has increased the number of ODF villages from 1,231 in 2014 to 5,434 villages in 2016.This change represented a 340 percent increment in the number of villages certified ODF during this period.Despite the progress, the government is making slow progress towards achieving its goal of declaring all the 69,299 villages in the country open defecation free by the year 2020.Health CS Dr Cleopa Maillu has meanwhile called upon all counties to invest in sanitation and hygiene for Kenya to realize Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals.“In the spirit of “leave no one behind”, we call upon all county governments and implementing partners to end open defecation in their counties by the end of year 2017. We are concerned by some counties like Meru, Laikipia, Lamu and Nandi which to date are yet to initiate community led total sanitation (CLTS),” Dr. Mailu said at the 2nd Kenyan National Sanitation and Hygiene conference held on February 8th, 2017.So far Busia County remains the only devolved unit to be fully to have achieved ODF status, followed by Nyando sub-county in Kisumu County.The Health Ministry developed and launched the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Policy 2016-2030, the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Strategic framework 2016-2020, the Prototype County Environmental health and Sanitation Bill and Kenya open defecation free campaign road map 2020.Studies have shown that the poorest households have least access to facilities and the least ability to invest in their own resources but have the most to gain from access.The poorest children and families bear the greatest sanitation related health burden.National sanitation coverage figures however mask disparities with the poorest 20% of the population disproportionately more likely to practice open defecation.The Constitution of Kenya has clearly highlighted under Article 43, Sanitation and Hygiene as a right to all Kenyans. In this regard, sanitation and hygiene is a basic necessity that contributes to better health, dignity and quality of life, said the CS.