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U.S. Government To Help Zambians In Fight Against Malaria

LUSAKA. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Dr. Kent Hill, on Wednesday, October 18 handed over insecticides worth $853,000, or 3.2 billion kwacha, to the National Malaria Control Center. The donation comes in support of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) program, which has been in place since 2000. During the 2006-2007 malaria season, more than 700,000 structures in 15 target districts will be treated, protecting 4.5 million people against malaria. “I applaud the Government of Zambia for its efforts to save the lives of women and children while using safe and effective methods to combat this deadly disease” said Dr. Hill during a ceremony at Ng’ombe Township in Lusaka.

In total, USAID is providing $7.6 million (more than 28 billion kwacha) to support activities under the National Malaria Strategic Plan this year. Funding for malaria control in Zambia is through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which aims to reduce malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in 15 African countries by reaching 85 percent of the most vulnerable groups — children under 5 years of age and pregnant women — with proven and effective malaria prevention and treatment measures. Malaria is a major public health problem in Zambia, accounting for nearly 4.3 million clinical cases and an estimated 50,000 deaths per year. According to the World Health Organization, IRS is effective in controlling malaria transmission as well as in reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality.

In line with Zambia’s established protocol for IRS, USAID has procured alpha-cypermethrin (Fendona), lambda-cyhalothrin (ICON), and Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) insecticides, each of which is used on a different type of structure. Zambia is the first country in Africa for which USAID is procuring DDT to save the lives of women and children who are the most vulnerable to malaria. These insecticides are completely safe when used properly and are recommended by the World Health Organization for reducing or interrupting malaria transmission. The National Malaria Control Center plans to train 950 people to ensure high safety standards.

In addition to procuring all the insecticides for the 2006-2007 IRS program, USAID is providing protective clothing for spray operators and spare parts for spray pumps. At the same time, the National Malaria Control Center will also receive assistance to strengthen its planning and management systems, training, supervision, information management evaluation and monitoring of the IRS program for the safe and judicious use of insecticides. USAID is also supporting other key interventions under the Zambia Malaria Strategic Plan, including procuring Mama SafeNite Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs), targeted at pregnant women and children under five at public sector antenatal clinics. USAID is also assisting the MOH to strengthen diagnosis and treatment of malaria, and to reduce the burden of malaria during pregnancy.
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