A CALL has been made to raise awareness on the importance of preventing malaria in Mashonaland West province following reports of resistance to a residual spraying exercise by some families.
The call was made during a stakeholder meeting held in Karoi town, Hurungwe district.
Hurungwe district medical officer Munyaradzi Chidaushe called on stakeholders to educate communities on the importance of the exercise meant to control the spread of malaria.
“Our communities must understand why mosquito nets are good for malaria control while residual spraying is essential,” Chidaushe said.
“Unfortunately, we still have some households that defy the government commitment to spraying by locking their households during the exercise.
“It’s regrettable, but we must strive to educate our communities. Malaria can be controlled and it’s part of our duty as stakeholders to help each other.”
Hurungwe environmental health officer Raymond Chetse emphasised the need to scale up preventive measures.
“There is need for engagement of special populations,” Chetse said.
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Mashonaland West provincial environmental health officer Oswell Muchenje echoed similar sentiments.
“We have noticed abuse of mosquito nets, where some communities use these for fishing, fowl runs, grain storage and garden fencing, among others,” he said.
“We urge people to seek malaria treatment as a matter of urgency.”
Stakeholders who attended the meeting include officials from the district co-ordinator’s office, Hurungwe Rural District, Karoi Town Council, Agritex, Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, Department of Public Works, tobacco companies and Education, Youths and Women Affairs ministries, among others.
In Hurungwe district, mass distribution of mosquito nets started in 2013 as a pilot project covering all the 26 rural wards.
According to the World Health Organisation, malaria remains a public health threat with more than five million people at risk of contracting it annually in Zimbabwe.
It accounts for about 40% of outpatient attendance in moderate to high transmission districts, especially during the peak transmission period.
