John Omoding
23 October 2008
Kampala — THE indoor residual spraying of ICON against mosquitoes has been launched in Katakwi district.
The launch, on Tuesday, was done in Angodingod village, Omodoi sub-county.
The district chairperson, John Robert Ekongot, said malaria‚is the number one killer disease in the district; responsible forâ-‚about 60% of people who die in the area, especially children and pregnant mothers.
"We have sensitised the populace and they have been waiting for the programme to start," he said.
"Wherever we went and asked the‚ people if they will embrace the spraying, they gave a resounding yes. They do not care whether DDT or ICON is used as long as mosquitoes and the malaria problem will be eliminated," he added.
Pilgrim‚ a local NGO based in Soroti, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health under the theme: 'Move on Malaria', has undertaken the spraying in Teso sub-region.
The Pilgrim managing director, Anthony Esenu, said they received $2.5m (sh4.8b) from the US-based organisation‚ Three Loaves, to facilitate the campaign.
"We shall spray all inhabitable places, including public institutions like churches, prisons, hospitals, health centres and lodges.â-‚We shall test and treat allâ-‚persons with malaria parasites withinâ-‚24 hours of‚ showing signs," Esenu said.
The programmeâ-‚is expected to coverâ-‚120,000 households in Katakwi and 2.5 million people in Teso sub-region.
Katakwi district entomologist Peter Okello said if not used properly, ICON, like any other chemical, can have side effects. It also gives an itching effect if a person enters a sprayed house before two hours have elapsed.
He okayed the use of DDT and ICON.
The 'Move on Malaria' programme coordinator, Tito Okwalinga‚ said the liquid ICON was being used because its strength and coverâ-‚lasts about nine months, before respraying.
He said apart from residual spraying, mass immunisation, treatment and de-worming of people will also be done free of charge.
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