The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Seleman Rashid, told the 'Daily News' that Tanzania would apply DDT in malaria control in line with last week's resolution of the African Health Ministers' conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Dr Rashid said apart from Tanzania joining other African countries in application of DDT in elimination of malaria, the country was also pleased with the pilot project in the Lake Zone where the chemical was being used for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

"The outcome of the project in Kagera, Mwanza and Mara regions where DDT was used last year is encouraging. We now have to resort to using DDT in other regions with high malaria prevalence," he said. He said apart from malaria, the Abuja conference discussed on the need for more efforts in fighting HIV/Aids and TB.

It made the declaration to increase investment and commitment to combat the life threatening diseases. Dr Rashid said the Abuja agreement on Africa to increase the use of DDT meant that Tanzania has to spend more on its implementation.

"This means we will need to employ more community health workers, increase the budget for purchasing the chemical as well as other equipment like pumps," he said. He said DDT would be applied in the coastal belt including Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Lindi and Mtwara regions.