Don’t ban bull fighting

By Chrispory Juma

A call by a section of citizens to the government to ban bull-fighting was not only misinformed but also malicious to this activity associated with the people of Western Kenya. Bull fighting events, common in Kakamega, usually happen many times a year and have been there for several years, forming a crucial aspect of the luyha culture, reinforcing clan loyalty and community pride. 

This aside, bull-fights happen everywhere, in any village. But what is unique about this is that the people of western Kenya have been able to make this a cultural event and derive happiness and entertainment out of this. In the end, it has acted as a source of tourist attraction and even campaign strategy for politicians in the region.

The owners of the bulls take pride in their bulls (the bulls themselves awarded, based on the winner). They ensure the bulls are well taken care of, even naming them after community legends that were/are ferocious, courageous and victorious. No one would want to harm such kind of an animal.

After all, this is unlike the bull fights in Mexico and Spain where the bulls fight matadors. Here, they face one another!

Perhaps it is because we have all lost the point over this as a nation, and some people are working behind the scenes to ban this precious cultural heritage. It is interesting that a group is even petitioning for this.

What we need to do is for the Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Livestock and other stakeholders like Kenya Society for the protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) and the Bull Fighting Federation to come together so that everyone can appreciate this as a major tourist attraction in the western circuit and look at avenues of streamlining the activity.

Of course there are risks this activity poses. There have been cases of bulls goring or trampling on spectators, who sometimes are drunk and the concoctions given to the bulls to charge them and psychologically prepare them for the fight. I feel these are the areas we need to address. A call for banning this activity is way too ridiculous and exaggerated. 

The writer, (Chrispory Juma), is a PHO Intern with the MOPHS, Homa Bay District.

Standard's Editorial on Lake Victoria on point

       By Chrispory Juma
Historians say that Lake Victoria is 400,000 years old and over this period, it has dried up four times, the most recent being 17,000 years ago. A visit to the lakeside anytime now would tempt you to feel that the lake is most likely to dry up again in our generation when we have the manpower, technology and capital to thwart any attempt that would endanger the existence of a lake which is not only the pride of Africa but also a source of livelihoods to millions of people in the East African Community.

The Lake has become grossly infested with Water Hyacinth weeds, which have virtually turned the fresh water into a green zone. The water has turned green with other weeds also taking the opportunity to turn the once beautiful lake into a plantation. This is inspite of the government's awareness of the real dangers this weed poses to the lake. I also add my voice as a resident of Homa Bay and an investor who depends on the lake to question what the various governmental and non-governmental agencies are doing towards saving the lake. Why the silence. Is it possible that you have abandoned the dependants on the lake? Is it a question of lost hope? Is the silence justified? Can this silence be owed to squandery of money meant for conserving and managing the lake’s resources?

Can this problem be a pointer to the bigger picture of management of disasters in Nyanza where even donors are worried of usage of disaster prevention and management funds? Lots of money has been poured into the weed’s control with many interventions tried out.
There are two ways of looking into the weed, as a burden or as a resource. But all of them are geared towards one objective: to eradicate it. A number of governmental and non-governmental agencies have been created to deal with this menace. Is it true to say that we have given up on all these and therefore resorted to sitting back as the lake is eaten away? 

It is high time we went back to the drawing board to find a lasting solution to this menace because with it comes pollution, hampered transport system, eyesore scenery, reduced aquatic population, poor water supply and better breeding grounds for malaria-causing mosquitoes. As a resident of Homa Bay town, I will confirm to you that these effects have become obvious with biting water shortages, increased mosquito infestation and reduced economic activities on being the concerns of everyone within the town. Homa Bay is the focal point of all the beaches in Nyanza, It can no longer be accessed from other beaches.

The most affected sector of the economy is fishing, which contributes significantly to the National economy through employment creation, foreign exchange earnings, recreation and poverty reduction and food security support, contributing to about 1% of the country’s GDP. I earned us 12 billion Kenyan shillings in 2009 (2010 Economic Survey). As a fisherman, my boats are rotting as the people I employed remain jobless. 
The weed compounds the many challenges bedeviling the lake. It appears the second largest fresh water lake in the world is under attack. There is continued encroachment on the lake by farmers, discharge of sewage into the lake, silting by incoming river waters and illegal fishing methods. We must re-energies ourselves and reactivate our systems for the protection of Lake Victoria or else its drying up overtime will become a reality in our lifetime again. I call upon the residents around the lake to begin engaging the agencies concerned to find a way-forward over the weed.

The writer is a Public Health Officer Intern, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Homa Bay District.

The key issues in NTV’s Sisters of Death

The key issues in NTV’s Sisters of Death

            By Chrispory Juma

NTV’s Sister’s of Death’s highlight on how illicit brewers in Korogocho slums use ARVs and Fomalin to make liquors that find their way into the Kenyan market not only exposed how porous our laws and society have become but also put focus on policy and governance issues that touch on public health.

It brought to focus all stakeholders engaged in the control of HIV/AIDS and exposed gaps in using ART (Anti Retro-Viral Therapy) as a control model. It has made us, as health professionals, begin to think of what better ways of monitoring the effective administration of ARVs back in the homes where the people for whom they are designed have them. It is unfortunate that, as we fight the pilferage of illegal ARVs in the market, persons living with HIV/AIDs continue to misuse the little ones we have. One thing for sure, as exposed, is that it is not their wish.

A keen look at the investigative feature informs that Kenya’s major problems may not be diseases. But the three interlinked scourges: ignorance, unemployment and poverty. These challenges continue to make Kenyans put money above life.  To ordinary Kenyans, food comes first, drugs come next. Infact, a hungry stomach and drugs are never friends. Without discrimination, as the numbers would confirm, our mothers are the most disadvantaged and therefore resort to such illegal means, just to bring food to the table for us, their children.

This feature also ought to have awakened Public Health Officers, tasked with safeguarding the health of Kenyans and the laws appertaining to this responsibility. We were put to shame over how individuals have continued to abuse The Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap 254-Touching on the ARVs), Public Health Act (Cap 242-The dumpsites from where the bottles are picked, the safety standards of the liquor), Pharmacy, Poisons Act (Cap 244-On chemicals like formalin) and other laws relating to Public Health and Sanitation.

Slums continue to pose challenges to urban health in Kenya.             Policy makers should begin to think of how to ensure that Public Health laws are adhered to in the expanding informal settlements because as evidenced, quality, affordable and adequate housing for all Kenyans has become elusive for the government to provide. As we approach 2030, and with slums becoming increasingly difficult to do away with, the public health and sanitation concerns in these settlements continue to be wider and wider. And of interest here is the administration of laws pertaining to Public Health and sanitation.

Just as Public Health is a communal approach to wellness, addressing challenges facing it must also be inter-sectoral and collaborative of all stakeholders. My concerns here are the policy actors. The media has done its part and will continue to do so. What remains is what is done by others, moreso the public health administrators and animators in this issue. They say evil persists when good men sit and watch without doing anything. We can all act now to make Kenya a safer place to live in.

The writer is a Graduate Public Health Intern with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Homa Bay County and a Health Rights Advocate (chrisjuma1@yahoo.com)

Cost of Anti-Malarial Drugs must remain low

Cost of Anti-Malarial Drugs must remain low

Chrispory Juma
Recent reports that the cost of anti-malarial drugs, popularly known as ACT (Artemisinin Combination Therapy) would go up as from next year threaten to derail on the already great strides made in the fight against Malaria.

Despite our metropolitan capital and stable international reputation, malaria remains on of the biggest donor recipients in the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation. Inspite of the numerous efforts, the scourge continues to be the number one killer disease for pregnant mothers and the children under five years of age. 

Globally, malaria impacts 247 million people, 212 million in Africa alone. According to the Global Malaria Action Plan, Kenya is among the top five countries affected by malaria

The Kenyan National Malaria Strategy focuses on four main interventions, namely, vector control (LLITNs-Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets, IRS-Indoor Residual Spraying), prompt and effective treatment (ACT-Artenisinin Combination Therapy), malaria prevention during pregnancy and disaster preparedness and response. In a country where cure is more prioritized than prevention, increase in the prices of ACTs would deal malaria treatment a major blow.
With few Malaria diagnostic and screening centres, many Kenyans' hopes lie in Pharmacies and Hospitals, which they hope shall continue to provide subsidized ACTs. Even if the subsidized ACTs were meant for a pilot study, anti-malarial drugs must continue to be accessible, affordable and effective. For poverty stricken families in Western Kenya regions where Malaria is endemic (cases are present throughout the year), the government must do something. It would not be feasible to spend Kshs. 300 for anti-malarial drugs with the rising standards of living. This would open lee-ways for cartels to not only sell counterfeits but also cash in on vulnerable Kenyans.

The writer is an intern with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Homa Bay County.

Have we given up on Lake Victoria?

Have we given up on Lake Victoria?

Chrispory Juma Ombuya

Historians say that Lake Victoria is 400,000 years old and over this period, it has dried up four times, the most recent being 17,000 years ago. A visit to the lakeside anytime now would tempt you to feel that the lake is most likely to dry up again in our generation when we have the manpower and capital to thwart any attempt that would endanger the existence of a lake which is not only the pride of Africa but also a source of livelihoods to millions of people in the East African Community.

The Lake is has become grossly infested with Water Hyacinth weeds, which have virtually turned the fresh water into a green zone. The water has turned green with other weeds also taking the opportunity to turn the once beautiful lake into a plantation. Lots of money has been poured in to Hyacinth control with many interventions tried out. A number of governmental and non-governmental agencies have been created to deal with this menace. One begs to know if all those have failed now that the weed is back to choke our lake with wanton abandon.

Is it high time we went back to the drawing board to find a lasting solution to this menace because with it, comes pollution, hampered transport system, eyesore scenery, reduced aquatic population, poor water supply and increased occurrence of Malaria (respiration). As a resident of Homa Bay town, I will confirm to you that these effects have become obvious with biting water shortages and increased mosquito infestation the wordings in everyone’s lips.

Amidst this major epidemic environmental threat to our lake, there lie concerning attacks on the lake’s ecosystem that authorities have decided to turn a blind eye on. There is continued encroachment on the lake by farmers, discharge of sewage into the lake, silting by incoming river waters and illegal fishing methods. We must re-energies ourselves and reactivate our systems for the protection of Lake Victoria or else its drying up overtime will become a reality in our lifetime again.

The writer is a Graduate Public Health Intern, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Homa Bay District.

Health Workers are enemies amongst themselves

Health Workers are enemies amongst themselves

This time round, we again find ourselves amidst Nurses’ strike, which has left horrific agony in our Public Hospitals, ostensibly due to the enormous tasks Nurses partake in the wards. In a nutshell, they are the backbones of any hospital, truth be told.

As usual, the government, in its unsurprising gimmick, has failed to notice the urgency of the moment and address the many genuine issues presented to it by the Nurses but instead, in this century and generation decided to sack people who are discriminated, disgruntled, underpaid, overworked and most of all, in disharmony with certain professional colleagues at work. What country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I don’t want to delve into a government which has disregarded its workers (Leaves me wondering how it wants to fulfill vision 2030). I would like to say something about health workers who have continued to disregard one another over the years. Amongst us, we have categorized one another as medics or paramedics, curers or preventers, juniors or seniors…….and forgotten the sole purpose for which we, with our different professional trainings, are called to do: save human life.

I know many will agree with me that divisions amongst health workers start early in college where some students think they study prestigious health programmes like Medicine while the others are just bystanders in the health sector. What do you say of a health programme offered by two universities and the difference in the fees they offer for the same is more than Kshs. 150,000? The graduates from these institutions will never see themselves as equals in the field. These are some of the pertinent issues we have failed look into.

We may be better trained and vastly experienced but it takes character to realize that we are all health care providers, from the Community Health Worker to the whos and whos in the health sector. When the doctors went on strike, at last the government made promises to them, some of which are yet to be fulfilled. Nurses are now threatened with sack. Are other health workers ready to support them? Are we creating a culture where every professional cadre wants to go it alone to agitate for its rights in the streets? That today it is PHOs, tomorrow Lab Technologists and the next day, Nutritionists?

As civil servants in the health sector, health workers must decide to work together. They will have a bigger voice with which to pressurize the government, not only to look into their welfare, but also to improve the working conditions in health institutions. It is logically provided that each of us has roles to play and mutual respect is the way-forward. Our relationship has to be symbiotic if we really have to successfully serve Kenyans. We all want to save life and prevent death.

Chrispory Juma Ombuya,

RTI/IRS,

Intern PHO, Homa Bay District.