Schistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzia, is a parasitic disease spread through contact with contaminated freshwater. When people bathe, fish, or wash in infected rivers or lakes, tiny worms from snails penetrate the skin, causing infection.
In simple terms, it’s a waterborne disease that thrives in stagnant or slow-moving water, making it especially common around Lake Victoria and riverside communities in Western and Nyanza regions of Kenya.
“Every year, thousands of children in counties like Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Busia are exposed to bilharzia simply because clean water and sanitation remain a challenge,” said Dr Wycliff Omondi, Head of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Program at Kenya’s Ministry of Health. “This disease robs children of their health, education, and potential, yet it’s entirely preventable.”
The World Health Organization estimates that over 6 million Kenyans are at risk of schistosomiasis, most of them children. If left untreated, the disease can cause anaemia, stunted growth, organ damage, and learning difficulties, quietly undermining the health of entire communities.
Global healthcare leader Merck has reaffirmed its commitment to Africa’s health sovereignty through a new partnership with Universal Corporation Ltd. (UCL), a Kenyan pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.
The collaboration aims to produce arpraziquantel, a child-friendly version of the schistosomiasis treatment praziquantel, locally by 2028 ensuring the youngest children finally have access to safe and effective medication.
During a recent visit to the UCL facility, Hong Chow, Member of Merck’s Healthcare Executive Committee and Head of China & International, said the initiative represents a “historic shift” for local drug production in Africa.
“For too long, Africa has depended on imported medicines. That must change,” she said. “By transferring technology and knowledge to Kenya, we are helping build long-term resilience and health independence for the continent.”
Kenya positioned as Africa’s health manufacturing hub
Kenya was chosen as the regional production base for arpraziquantel due to its strong pharmaceutical infrastructure, regulatory stability, and strategic role as an East African health hub.
The Ministry of Health has applauded the initiative, saying it aligns with Kenya’s industrialization and health security goals. “Our goal is to ensure that every Kenyan, especially children, can access safe, affordable, and effective treatment close to home,” said Dr. Omondi. “Collaborations like this bring us closer to Universal Health Coverage and reduce overreliance on donor-funded supply chains.”
He noted that the partnership would also create skilled jobs, stimulate local innovation, and boost Kenya’s pharmaceutical exports across the East African region. Under the partnership, Merck will transfer advanced pharmaceutical technology and provide training to UCL staff to enable large-scale production of arpraziquantel. The Kikuyu plant will supply the treatment across sub-Saharan Africa, improving drug access and supply chain stability.
“Technology transfer is not just about machines, it’s about building people,” said Hong Chow. “We are investing in Kenyan expertise to ensure sustainable, high-quality drug manufacturing.”
The pediatric drug will be rolled out through the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium’s ADOPT program, which focuses on preschool-aged children a group previously excluded from standard treatment campaigns.
The initiative is currently testing various distribution models and mass drug administration drives, to reach every at-risk child.
“When you reach a four-year-old child in a lakeside village who has never received treatment before that’s impact,” said Dr. Omondi. “This partnership means those children are no longer invisible.”
The move comes at a time when international aid for health programs is shrinking, leaving many low-income countries vulnerable to supply disruptions. Universal Corporation Ltd. (UCL) CEO Perviz Dhanani welcomed the partnership, noting that the company is ready to help ease the burden of schistosomiasis in Kenya and across the region. He emphasized that the local-manufacturing model is designed to safeguard access to essential medicines even amid global funding cuts.
During her visit, Hong Chow praised Kenya’s leadership in tackling neglected tropical diseases. “Schistosomiasis has burdened communities for decades, but today we see real progress,” she said. “Kenya’s combination of science, policy, and community engagement offers a blueprint for the entire continent.” She added that each locally produced tablet represents “a healthier future for a child, a family, and a community.”
As schistosomiasis continues to affect thousands along Lake Victoria’s shores, the promise of a locally produced, child-friendly treatment marks a new era of hope.
By combining global expertise with Kenyan innovation, this partnership brings the country closer to a future where no child suffers from preventable tropical diseases and where Africa’s medicine is made in Africa.
