Kampala — THE health ministry resumes internal residual spraying of DDT to kill mosquitoes in malaria endemic districts.

"We shall resume after completing the environmental impact assessment," said Dr. Kenya Mugisha, the director of clinical and community health.

The ministry launched indoor residual spraying in northern Uganda in February 2008. It was planning to roll out the campaign to other parts of the country when the High Court halted the exercise in May 2008, after a petition from environmental activists. However, in April this year, the High Court dismissed the case.

"Currently, spraying is ongoing in Kumi using ICON. Malaria wards have almost closed in districts where we sprayed like Katakwi, Oyam, Apac and Kanungu," Mugisha said. He noted that in other endemic areas, the health ministry was waiting for rainfall. "It is useless to spray during the dry season because in most cases there are no mosquitoes. They normally come with the rains," he added.

About 400 people die of malaria everyday in Uganda. The disease accounts for 30-50% of out-patient treatment and 20% of hospital admissions.

Uganda spends sh63b on malaria annually. According to the Malaria Control Programme, $500m is needed for indoor residual spraying in endemic districts.

Starting September, the Government is planning to distribute free insecticide-treated mosquito nets. The 17.4 million nets will supplement the six million that were distributed in the last three years.