By THANDIWE MOYO –
THE Ministry of Health has commenced an Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) exercise in five provinces to prevent malaria.
MOH spokesperson Kennedy Malama said the indoor spraying which will be conducted in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Western, North-Western and Central would benefit three million people.
“Our appeal to people is that they should allow spray operators to spray their homes when visited,” he said.
Dr Malama said spraying in houses is the most effective way of fighting malaria and that people should not stop the spray operators from spraying their homes.
He said despite having made a lot of progress in reducing the cases of malaria which were at 330/1000 population with a reduction of deaths for malaria by 50 percent in last few years; malaria remained a public health priority.
Dr Malama said it was possible to eliminate malaria with the heightened stakeholder’s collaboration and participation.
He said it was imperative to stamp out malaria because of the serious damages it caused in pregnant women, children and the general public.
Dr Malama said preventing diseases and ensuring health-friendly environment was the priority of the government.
He said Malaria was a serious ailment and warned the public to refrain from self prescription.
“Malaria is still causing a lot if illnesses and deaths in our country, let us work together and help eliminate the vice,” he said.
He said Muchinga Eastern Luapula Southern and Northern were already sprayed and yielded successful results and disclosed that over 1.3 structures will be prayed in the current IRS exercise.