Maputo — Mozambique is to receive this year 20 million dollars earmarked for the fight against malaria under the George Bush President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), up from the 18 million granted in 2007.

This sum will be used for the purchase of malaria drugs, mosquito nets, pay for indoor residual spraying programmes and treatment of pregnant women. The funding will also be used for training programmes on how to use mosquito nets, among other activities. (Some people are reported to use mosquito nets for fishing, decorate their houses and other purposes).

For the current year, both PMI and the Mozambican government want to change their approach concerning distribution of mosquito nets.

Instead of focusing only on pregnant women and in children under five, they want to include other population groups, as to ensure universal access to mosquito nets.

According to Juliette Morgan, PMI program manager, distribution of mosquito nets will be accompanied by an awareness campaign on how proper use of mosquito nets could save their lives.

Morgan said that last year the Mozambican government in partnership with the PMI distributed about 600,000 impregnated mosquito nets to pregnant women and children, while treating over 500,000 mosquito nets already in people's possession.

'Last year more than 40,000 homes were sprayed with residual insecticides, benefiting nearly two million people. Also in 2007, we purchased 1.5 million doses of malaria drugs", she added.

Morgan was speaking in Maputo on Monday ahead of the World Malaria Day that will be celebrated on April 25.

The celebrations will be marked by a number of activities and a Malaria Exhibition at the Maputo Fortress (Fortaleza de Maputo).

The launching ceremony of the World Malaria Day was marked by the distribuition of awards to Mozambican journalists winners of a malaria competition.

In Mozambique, malaria is an endemic disease, and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country, accounting for 30 percent of deaths in hospitals.

This disease is still a major cause of health problems, accounting for 40 percent of all external consultations.

Moreover, 60 percent of patients hospitalized in the pediatric wards are admitted because of severe malaria.

It is estimated that in the country there are about 680,000 pregnant women and 2.8 million children under five years of age, at risk from malaria.

Malaria is 'the second cause of mortality in the region of Southern Africa region, killing over 400,000 people a year.

Launched in June 2005, MIP has committed 1.2 billion USD over a five-year period. The aim of this initiative is to reduce the mortality related to malaria by 50 percent in 15 countries of the world including Mozambique.

FTA /sg