Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:43:14 +0000
By JACK MAPAPAYI
GOVERNMENT will distribute over 33,441 Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITN) this year in Kabompo district to cover 100 percent of the population.
Kabompo district director of health Maison Jikundula said the distribution of ITNs was part of the national malaria target to eliminate the disease by 2021. “The exercise will focus on individuals getting the mosquito nets and ensuring that 100 percent coverage and protection is achieved,” he said.
Mr Jikundula announced the distribution of the nets at a stakeholders meeting yesterday on the 2017 Mass ITN distribution in North Western Province.
The mass distribution of mosquito nets was part of Government’s strategy to eliminate malaria in the district which has a record of 981 incidence rates per 1,000 population as of 2016.
And Kabompo district commissioner Shatewa Ndumba said that despite the efforts made in reducing the malaria burden, the disease had remained a major public health challenge in the district.
Ms Ndumba has since called on traditional and religious leaders in the district to support the implementation of the strategy to accelerate malaria elimination in line with Government vision of a malaria-free Zambia.
“It’s for this reason that Government has reiterated its commitment to ending malaria through the launching of the Zambia national malaria elimination strategic plan 2017-2021,’’ Ms Ndumba said.
The district commissioner explained that the strategy placed emphasis on sustained universal coverage of vector control interventions.
Meanwhile, Kabompo council chairperson Presley Makayi implored residents to ensure that the ITN they received were not used for wrong purposes such as fishing or fencing off gardens.
“The only way to fight malaria is by individuals adopting correct behaviour and attitude towards the usage of mosquito nets,” he said.
