Project Summary:
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and WASH Alliance Kenya (WAK) with support from the END Fund, aims to significantly disrupt the transmission of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) across four counties in Western Kenya: Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Trans-Nzoia. Set to run from July 2024 to June 2025 with a budget of $144,561.60, the project will leverage a comprehensive strategy that integrates WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and NTD (Neglected Tropical Diseases) interventions.
Project Objectives and Strategies:
- Enhanced Multi-Sector Coordination and Advocacy:
- Coordination: Facilitate improved collaboration between multi-sector partners, including the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MOWSI), and other key stakeholders.
- Advocacy: Promote the inclusion of NTDs in broader WASH programming. Advocate for policies and investments that integrate NTD control efforts with WASH initiatives, fostering a unified approach to disease control.
- Improvement of WASH Infrastructure and Hygiene Promotion:
- WASH Access: Upgrade and expand water and sanitation infrastructure in schools and communities based on findings from Year 4’s granular mapping. This includes identifying and addressing gaps in water access and sanitation facilities.
- Hygiene Promotion: Implement targeted hygiene promotion activities to educate communities and schools about proper sanitation practices, thereby reducing the transmission of STH and SCH.
- Strengthened Partnerships and Technical Support:
- Partnerships: Work closely with County Water officers and other local entities to map water points, improve water purification, and enhance sanitation services. This collaboration aims to build local capacity and ensure effective implementation of WASH interventions.
- Technical Support: Provide technical assistance to lower administrative levels, strengthening county ownership of the project and supporting sustainable WASH practices. Advocate for alternative financing models to ensure continued investment in WASH beyond the project’s duration.
- Increased Investment in WASH:
- Advocacy for Investment: Drive efforts to increase financial investments in WASH infrastructure and services. Focus on public spaces such as markets, bus parks, and boda boda sheds, which are critical for community health and hygiene.
Target Population:
The project will impact an estimated 5,260,270 people across the four counties, based on 2019 census data. By improving WASH infrastructure and promoting better hygiene practices, the project aims to significantly reduce the prevalence of STH and SCH, contributing to the broader goal of disease elimination.
The “Subnational Interruption of Transmission of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) in Western Kenya” project is designed to address critical gaps in WASH and NTD interventions. Through strategic partnerships, enhanced advocacy, and targeted infrastructure improvements, WAK aims to advance from disease control to elimination, ensuring long-term health benefits for the region’s population.
