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Ministry hails malaria intervention project

N

ational Malaria Control Progamme manager Dr. Michael Kayange says  indoor residual spraying intervention has proven effective in reducing malaria cases in Nkhotakota.

The intervention involves spraying insecticides to potential malaria-vector resting surfaces such as internal walls, eaves and ceilings of houses or structures to kill the larva.

Speaking yesterday in the district during the launch of this year’s spraying exercise, Kayange said government wants to reduce malaria cases in the country.

He said the indoor residual spraying programme is implemented in high malaria-infested districts of Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, Mangochi and Balaka.

A spray operator mixes chemicals before spraying a house

Said Kayange: “The Ministry of Health has two effective interventions for vector control, namely indoor residual spraying and the use of mosquito nets.

“However, indoor residual spraying is costly; hence, implementing it in four districts only while the rest get insectcide-treated mosquito nets.”

He said government spends K4 billion per district per year to spray the insecticide.

Nkhotakota District director of  health and social services Wezzie Mumba hailed theintervention, saying it helped to reduce malaria cases in the district.

She said: “Before the intervention in 2017, for every 100 people suspected to have malaria, 90 tested positive after laboratory tests.

“But in 2019, out of 1 000 suspected malaria cases, 300 would come out positive.”

Mumba encouraged people to allow their homes to be sprayed, saying 100 percent spray coverage will help to reduce malaria cases in the district.

Nkhotakota acting district commissioner Ben Tohno said statistics showed that civil servants and those in better jobs are yet to accept the intervention.

Ministry of Health is implementing the project with support from USaidthrough the US President Malaria Initiative.

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