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Nairobi, August 16, 2011

First Lady Mama Lucy Kibaki has called on the Ministries of Education and Public Health to take a leading role in efforts towards sustainably dealing with the jiggers menace in the country.

Appreciating the commendable effort made by the Non-Governmental Organizations in the eradicating the menace, the First Lady urged the two Ministries to work closely to ensure schools are sprayed and all classrooms in the country are cemented to reduce chances of children being infested with jiggers while in school.

In a statement released from State House Nairobi, Mama Lucy noted that other innovative measures of eradicating the jiggers include appointment of school inspectors charged with the responsibility of ensuring proper hygiene standards are maintained in schools.

Other measures that the First Lady advocated for include daily screening of school children so as to detect and take remedial action early enough in collaboration with parents.

"The Ministry of Education should also explore innovative ideas of fighting jiggers including ensuring that classrooms all over the country are cemented as well as making the wearing of shoes in primary schools mandatory just as it is in secondary schools," said the First Lady.

Stressing the need to step up interventions especially in spraying households to eliminate fleas, Mrs. Kibaki said long-term protection against jiggers requires basic hygiene, fumigation and spraying of lawns and gardens with insecticides and the watering of dusty havens around the houses.

While advocating for improved personal hygiene, Mrs. Kibaki emphasized that concerted efforts between the government and civil society must be stepped up in order to mitigate the negative effects of the jigger-menace to the general society.

Emphasizing that it is easy to control the jigger menace, the First Lady asserted that the tiny parasitic bugs were capable of causing pupils to discontinue with education, immobilizing the adults from walking and even working while at same time acting a source of secondary infections such as leprosy and tetanus.

Decrying the current high the numbers of estimated 4 million jigger infested Kenyans, Mrs. Kibaki noted that besides physical harm, jiggers were also responsible for adverse psychological effects such as low self esteem and shame.

"In the cause of my outreach work under the auspices of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS, I have campaigned on a wide range of issues affecting women and children," added Mrs. Kibaki.

Affirming that she will remain steadfast in tackling various health challenges affecting Kenyans, particularly women and children, the First Lady appreciated that many gains had been attained in the country's health sector.

The First Lady remarked, "Among other issues, I have paid particular attention to various health challenges that affect women and children in our country. While many gains have been made in addressing these health challenges, I am concerned that jiggers continue to pose a serious challenge to men and women alike, and especially to children in many parts of the country."