Kalumbila Mine malaria fight elates residents

RESIDENTS of Kalumbila have hailed the mine for spearheading the fight against Malaria in the district.

The residents said efforts being made by the mining giant were in the Malaria fight were commendable.

In a quest to end malaria, Kalumbila Minerals limited has partnered with the Kalumbila district health office by contributing K721,000 .

The funds would go towards the spraying of homes under the Indoor Residue Spray (IRS) exercise.

Kalumbila Minerals limited Environmental manager, Kachiwala Sapalo, said that the mining company had recognised IRS as an effective tool for eliminating the disease due to its preventive nature.

Mr Sapalo said with collaboration with the district public health team, various interventions applied towards the fight against malaria have had substantial impact on the disease burden among communities since 2010.

"In highlighting the level of reduction in the malaria incidence, our combined efforts realised up to 17,000 structures sprayed in 2018 and 22,000 eligible structures being sprayed in 2019 denoting 76 percent and 92 percent coverage in the catchment area," he said.

Mr Sapalo was speaking during the launch of the

2020 IRS exercise at Kisasa secondary grounds.

North-western province Permanent Secretory, Willies Mangimela, said Government was committed to eradicating malaria through increased community surveillance.

He said mass drug administration, distribution of mosquito nets as well as the application of IRS, would be applied.

Earlier, Kalumbila District Health Director Chiluba Kabalika said that the district health office had trained 55 health centre staff and 47 neighbourhood health committee members.