ACSO-KENYA

JIGGERS ERADICATION PROGRAM

Jiggers are a type of parasitic flea that burrows into the skin of their host, causing pain, infection, and even death if left untreated. Jiggers are most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa and are a significant health problem in rural areas.

Eradicating jiggers involves several strategies, including:

  1. Education: One of the most critical steps in jigger eradication is educating communities about the risks of jiggers, how they spread, and how to prevent and treat them.
  2. Hygiene: Proper hygiene practices, such as washing hands and feet regularly and keeping living spaces clean, can help prevent the spread of jiggers.
  3. Treatment: Infected individuals require medical treatment to remove jiggers from their skin and treat any resulting infections.
  4. Environmental management: Eliminating the breeding grounds of jiggers, such as removing rubbish and keeping the living spaces clean can help control their spread.
  5. Community involvement: Community participation and ownership of jigger eradication programs are essential for long-term success.

Efforts to eradicate jiggers require sustained funding and support from governments, NGOs, and the private sector. The eradication of jiggers is a long-term process that requires a coordinated, multisector approach.

For the past five years, ACSO has engaged itself in this program, and we have seen tremendous progress in the lives of the children. Though, there is still more to be done in terms of removing rubbish and keeping the living spaces clean and medical treatment follow-ups, we hope that can done through keeping the environment clean, building decent houses for the beneficiaries, building latrines and boreholes for provision of clean water. Little has been, but we anticipate and envisage for more provision, so that we can do more in helping our community to live better.