Anti-Malaria Drive Gets Boost

Source: The Herald

Date: 20 November 2006

Author: Anon

ZIMBABWE will receive 70 tonnes of DDT to strengthen ongoing programmes to combat malaria, a World Health Organisation official has said.

WHO's representative to Zimbabwe Dr Everisto Njelesani last Friday said 60 tonnes would be shipped in from Mauritius, while 10 tonnes will come from South Africa.

He was speaking at a ceremony to launch the Sadc Malaria Week at Chamnangara Clinic in Beitbridge.

Dr Njelesani said his organisation was impressed by the Government's commitment in the fight against one of the major killer diseases in the country -- malaria.

"We believe the Government of Zimbabwe has the capacity to fight this killer disease," he said.

He said malaria was a problem which affected the Sadc region as a whole and Zimbabwe had shown interest in implementing the master plan.

"The reintroduction of DDT for indoor residual spraying is really encouraging as the Government had shown the zeal to implement it expeditiously," Dr Njelesani said.

He said in the past, DDT received negative publicity owing to unsatisfactory handling and disposal of its waste.

"It is pleasing to note that Zimbabwe has overcome this barrier and both the United Nations Environment Programme and WHO are convinced by the country's programme," he said.

He said the idea of reintroducing the use of indoor residual spraying in both stable and unstable areas was reaffirmed at the Durban International Convention Centre by Sadc health ministers.

Dr Njelesani said WHO would continue supporting such efforts.

He urged Sadc member states to work together in addressing health issues affecting the region.