1,7m nets donated in fight against malaria

THE United States of America and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria have donated more than 1,7 million Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) as a way of preventing malaria in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, US embassy in Zimbabwe public affairs officer Mr David McGuire said as part of the USA President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) distributed 938 000 LLINs, which were combined with 847 000 Global Fund-procured nets, to maximise coverage and protection of Zimbabweans while sleeping during peak mosquito biting time.

“This effort, which is co-ordinated and led by the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), was timed to precede the annual seasonal malaria transmission peaks witnessed during the rainy season. Correct and consistent use of LLINs is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent malaria,” he said.

Mr McGuire said his country’s support for malaria activities in Zimbabwe included the supply of insecticides, treated nets and anti-malarial prevention drugs for pregnant women, training of health and community workers in proper malaria case management, and providing malaria test kits and therapy drugs across the country.

Last year the United States government availed $14 million to Zimbabwe as support for the country’s fight against malaria, amid indications that cases of the disease were on a decline countrywide. USAID Mission Director Mr Stephanie Funk said people’s welfare was important hence reducing malaria at this point was essential.

“Ensuring that communities have access to long lasting insecticides is a critical component of USAID’s work to reduce malaria prevalence in Zimbabwe.

“The nets we distributed will reduce malaria transmission by protecting the people sleeping under them as well as reducing the number of mosquitoes,” he said.

Malaria is the third leading cause of illness and death in Zimbabwe, with over half of the population living in high risk areas.

Reported cases of malaria have, however, declined from 1,8 million in 2006 to less than 392 000 in 2015, a 73 percent reduction.