Government has started distributing free mosquito nets with a call to the citizenry to properly use the nets in order to combat malaria.
The campaign coincides with the commemoration of the SADC Malaria week which is under the theme “Community Involvement is Key to Achieving Zero Malaria: Together we Defeat Malaria!”
John Sande, Malaria Vaccine Implement and Disease Control Officer in the Ministry of Health told MIJ Online that 9.2 million mosquito nets will be distributed during the exercise in all the districts.
One of the districts which has commenced free net distribution is Neno which currently has the highest malaria prevalence rate.
Brazilia Mose, Malaria Control Officer for Neno district has told MIJ Online that over 117 thousand nets are expecting to be distributed in the district.
“Currently we are registering high cases of malaria as compared to any other districts in the country, this is why health authorities are working with village heads to ensure proper usage of mosquito nets by the community.” said Mose
For Rosa Masipoko Chingwalu, a mother of two from Chirombo 1 village, T/A Chekucheku in Neno district, a free mosquito net means protection for her family against malaria.
“I make sure that me and my family are sleeping under a mosquito net every day to protect ourselves from malaria, even when my net gets torn I make sure I sew it up.
These new nets I have received means I can take down the torn nets that I have been using.” Said Chingwalu excitedly
For Village Head Galeta 2 (Medson Mwanyodola), misuse of mosquito nets in his area attract a penalty of K10,000.00 or three chickens.
The village head said the fines are the community’s way of combating abuse of mosquito nets.
“The fines that we correct are used for developmental activities in the area which are decided by the Village Development Committee.” said village head Galeta 2.