Dr Wyckliff Omondi Assistant Director Medical Parasitology and Head of the Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Division at the National Public Health Institute, German Ambassador Sebastian Groth, Hong Chow Member of the Healthcare Executive Committee and Head of China and International at Merck, Palu Dhanani Managing Director Universal Corporation Limited , followed by Harald Nusser , Mathias Helmerich, and Karim Bendhaou Other representatives from Merck at a recent event held at Universal Corporation Limited./ PHOTO ;Courtesy
Schistosomiasis, commonly known as Bilharzia, remains one of the most devastating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) globally.
Caused by parasitic worms and spread through contact with contaminated freshwater, the disease affects more than 250 million people worldwide, with Africa carrying the largest burden.
In Kenya, an estimated six million people are currently infected, while another 15 million remain at risk, particularly in Western Kenya and around the Lake Victoria Basin, where Kisumu County is among the most affected.
Children and fishing communities face the greatest vulnerability, experiencing stunted growth, anemia, and reduced productivity.
Chronic infection can lead to organ damage, infertility, and increased cancer risk, deepening cycles of poverty in marginalized households.
To address the disease, Merck, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya’s Ministry of Health, county governments, and other partners, has expanded efforts to eliminate Bilharzia through mass drug administration (MDA) of Praziquantel, a safe and effective preventive and treatment medicine.
Community Health Promoters on the Frontline
At Hongo Ogosa Health Centre in Kisumu County, Community Health Promoter Paul Ochieng has played a key role in these interventions for nearly two decades.
“In our community, we mainly grow rice, and since most farms are flooded, people often work barefoot and lack proper sanitation facilities,” he says.
“This makes Bilharzia very common, especially during the rainy season when latrines are washed away and children play in stagnant water.”
Paul says training provided through national and county health systems has strengthened community understanding of the disease.
“Before, when people urinated blood, they didn’t know it was a symptom of Bilharzia. Now they do, and many have brought their children here for treatment.”
He explains that children aged 5 to 14 years are the primary target for Praziquantel administration.
“We remind parents to ensure children eat before taking the medicine, because on an empty stomach, it can cause dizziness. We also emphasize that children below five should not take it,” he adds.
National Coordination and Challenges
According to Dr. Wycliff Omondi, Assistant Director of Medical Parasitology and Head of the Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Division at the National Public Health Institute, Kenya continues to make progress toward eliminating Bilharzia despite ongoing challenges.
“There are 21 neglected tropical diseases globally, and 17 have been reported in Kenya,” says Dr. Omondi.
“Through our partnership with Merck, we receive Praziquantel donations via WHO to support control and elimination efforts.”
He notes that while Praziquantel is effective, access is still limited because the drug is not readily available in retail pharmacies.
“Another challenge is that Bilharzia symptoms are often subtle, so many people live with the disease unknowingly,” he says.
To strengthen sustainability amid funding constraints, the Ministry of Health has adopted a community health strategy integrating NTD treatment into routine services.
“Community Health Promoters (CHPs) now distribute medicines and conduct awareness education at the household level,” he explains.
“Each CHP receives a monthly stipend of KSh 5,000, jointly funded by national and county governments.”
Dr. Omondi adds that Praziquantel offers both preventive and curative protection.
“The drug kills adult worms, preventing egg-laying and contamination of water sources. Depending on infection rates, treatment is given once or twice annually until transmission drops significantly.”
Collaboration for Impact
Dr. Carol Karutu, Vice President of Programs at The END Fund, underscores the role of collaborative philanthropy in addressing NTDs.
“These diseases affect the poorest people, those without access to clean water, sanitation, or healthcare,” she says.
“The END Fund aggregates resources from philanthropists and channels them to implementing partners who distribute preventive medicines.”
“In Kisumu, we are working with Merck, which donates Praziquantel, and with the Ministry of Health to ensure treatment reaches affected communities. Everything we do aligns with government health plans and policies,” she adds.
Merck’s Global Health Efforts
Hong Chow, Member of the Healthcare Executive Committee and Head of China and International at Merck, explains that the company’s mission is anchored in expanding health equity.
“Since 2007, Merck has partnered with the WHO to combat schistosomiasis. So far, we’ve donated about two billion Praziquantel tablets, benefiting over 900 million patients worldwide, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa,” she says during a visit to Kisumu.
She notes that the medicine is not easy for very young children to take due to its size and taste.
“To address this, Merck worked with the Paediatric Praziquantel Consortium and KEMRI to develop Arpraziquantel, a child-friendly formulation for preschool-aged children.”
Merck has now partnered with Universal Corporation Limited (UCL) in Kikuyu to begin local manufacturing of Arpraziquantel.
“Our goal is to produce these tablets in Africa, for Africa, ensuring sustainable and equitable access for the youngest children,” says Chow.
Meer Dhanani, Head of Business Development at Universal Corporation Limited, says the partnership is a milestone for Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
“UCL is one of the few WHO-prequalified manufacturers in Sub-Saharan Africa. We supply products to over 22 countries and employ more than 500 people, with women making up about half of our workforce,” he says.
The company is finalizing the WHO submission for Arpraziquantel.
“This collaboration will strengthen local production capacity and improve access to essential medicines for children across the continent,” he adds.
Merck’s initiatives support Kenya’s NTD Master Plan (2023–2027) and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, helping to break the cycle of poverty linked to disease.
The company’s long-term focus includes research, innovation, and promoting health equity to ensure future generations can live free from schistosomiasis.
This aligns with the World Health Organization’s NTD Roadmap (2021–2030) and the Kigali Declaration on NTDs.
Through strong multi-sector partnerships between government, private sector, philanthropy, and global health organizations, Kenya is steadily advancing toward eliminating Bilharzia, offering hope for healthier communities around Lake Victoria and beyond.
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