Mangochi District moves to reduce malaria cases

Mangochi district commissioner Raphael Piringu has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) for mosquito being implemented by World Vision Malawi (WVM) in the district.

World Vision Malawi, with funding from Global Fund in collaboration with Ministry of Health, is implementing IRS by spreading chemicals to about 336 257 targeted households from the 17 operation sites to combat malaria.

Speaking on Tuesday when he appreciated the progress of the project, Piringu said cases of malaria are no longer a threat in the district.

He said: “Before this intervention, malaria has been a problem in our district. We used to register many deaths caused by malaria.

“But now we have seen deaths caused by the killer disease significantly going down by 60 percent. This is a better outcome we should all cherish and nurture.”

Piringu said before the project, demand for Artemether Lumefantrine (LA), a malaria drug, and hospital admissions were high.

He thanked World Vision for the initiative, saying it has relieved government from the burden of huge spending on malaria drugs.

The DC called on chiefs, religious leaders and others to take the lead in convincing communities to accept people who are involved in the IRS project.

Mangochi World Vision Malawi coordinator Confidence Mkungula described the intervention as good, saying they have reached out to 69 954 households.

“We are doing this for 36 days. It is worth noting to say that the work is progressing on well save for three sites of Nansenga, Namiyasi and Katuli where the work seems to be sluggish due to religious beliefs,” she said.

Mkungula appealed for support from influential people to ensure that the project registers success.