World Vision Malawi national social behaviour change and communication manager Pascal Madhlopa says indoor residual spraying intervention is effective in reducing malaria cases in Balaka.
The intervention involves spraying insecticide to potential malaria-vector resting surfaces such as internal walls, eaves and ceilings of houses or structures to kill the larva.
Speaking on Saturday during the initiative’s feedback session in the district, Madhlopa said in collaboration with National Malaria Control Programme, they want to fight malaria in the district.
He said: “We launched the initiative last year in the district. We will continue spraying the insecticide, this year because we are targeting about 85 percent of households in Balaka.
“The intervention is effective to reduce malaria cases.”
He said the organisation will conduct an awareness campaign to encourage people to accept the intervention.
Balaka District Health Office health promotion officer Mercy Nyirenda said the district has the second highest incidence of malaria in the country after Nkhotakota.
“The National Malaria Control Programme and World Vision Malawi are working with Balaka District Health Management Team to implement indoor residual spraying campaign,” she said.
Nyirenda said the campaign seeks to target 101 575 households, thereby protecting an estimated 438 379 people from malaria.
Traditional Authority Chanthunya said chiefs will engage households that refuse to accept the indoor residual spraying initiative to accept the intervention.
Balaka District Council chairperson Patrick Botomani asked people to continue using other malaria prevention and control interventions such as sleeping under mosquito nets, effective treatment and environmental sanitation,” he said.
