Malaria in Western Kenya
Malaria remains one of the most urgent public health challenges in Siaya County, located in the high-transmission Lake Victoria region of Western Kenya. The warm, humid climate and year-round mosquito breeding conditions contribute to hyperendemic transmission, especially affecting pregnant women and children under five.
In Siaya, Plasmodium falciparum is the dominant species, and repeated infections can lead to life-threatening complications such as severe malarial anemia (SMA), particularly in young children. The disease also contributes significantly to maternal mortality, preterm births, and poor neonatal outcomes.
Despite national control efforts, barriers such as poverty, limited access to care, and drug resistance continue to drive malaria-related illness and death in this region.
What We Do
At Winam Pediatric and Maternal Health Solutions, we are actively working with communities and health systems to:
- Increase awareness and prevention through education
- Support access to diagnostics and treatment
- Conduct research on host immune responses and parasite genetics
- Reduce the burden of severe malaria through locally led, science-informed strategies
Malaria is not just a medical issue-it is a social and economic one. Through our programs and partnerships, we are committed to reducing the toll of malaria in Kenya, one family at a time.
Why It Matters
With one of the highest transmission rates in Kenya, malaria claims lives, derails education, and deepens cycles of poverty. Children under five suffer the most, facing repeated infections that can lead to severe anemia, developmental delays, or death. For pregnant women, malaria increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and maternal mortality.
Without effective prevention, diagnostics, and treatment, entire communities remain trapped in the grip of a disease that is both preventable and treatable. Our work at WPMHS ensures that scientific breakthroughs translate into local impact, bridging gaps between communities and care. Every life saved from malaria is a step toward a healthier, more empowered future.
“Our team has reduced childhood mortality in children we care for from 22% over 24 years ago to less than 3% today-help us sustain this achievement and lose no children to malaria.”
– Dr. DJ Perkins, Founder and Chair