Malawi on Monday launched the 2024 Insecticide Treated Nets Mass Distribution Campaign which is targeting to reach targeting to cover a total population of 19,606,756 people.
The campaign is one of the activities planned as Malawi also launched the commemoration of the SADC Malaria Week with the theme. “Resilient health systems and communities key to malaria elimination and Timely access to malaria services, Everyone’s right”.
Launched in Balaka district under the theme “1TNs Universal Cove rage for a Malaria-Free Malawi,” the distribution of the nets will also include boarding secondary schools in three selected districts of Mwanza, Nkhota kota and Nkhatabay.
Speaking at the launch, deputy minister of health Halima Daudi said government has procured 1 1.7 million mosquito nets with support from Global Fund which will be distributed to all the 29 districts during the 2024 mass net distribution campaign.
“To sustain a high cove rage of nets among the population in 2025 the Government of Malawi will also distribute nets in primary schools in four districts with a high burden of malaria which are Balaka, Mangochi, Nkhotakota and Nkhatabay.
“Government through the Ministry of Health would like to re-affirm its commitment in the fight against mal aria. This commitment includes adopting al I interventions that have an impact on reducing the malaria disease burden, mobilization of more financial resources to help in the fight and political will.
The US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) through USAID, has provided Malawi with 400 million dollars and approximately K700 billion for the prevention and control activities of malaria in the country since 2006.
PMI Team Leader for Malawi, Jannel Rough said with the assistance from USAID, Global Fund and others, Malawi has reduced malaria prevalence rate by 70 percent since 2014 and malaria mortality has decreased by over 60 percent in the past 10 years.
“These achievement are due to persistent efforts to strengthen effective malaria case management and promote preventative measures. One of the most important tools in our battle against this disease is an insecticide treated mosquito net. Health workers recommend every family member- especially pregnant women and children under five – sleep under a long-lasting, insecticide-treated net every night. That’s why we are here today to support the launch of this mass campaign.
“Malawi’s National Malaria Control Program, with support from the US government through PMI Evolve, is distributing nets this year that are made with the very latest technology in order to help us prevail in our fight against malaria. When properly used and cared for, each net offers protection for up to three years,” she said
National Response Officer for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Malawi, Dr. Michael Kayange, says malaria remains a health problem, as nearly 200 million people are diagnosed with malaria every year globally.
Malaria remains a huge public health problem in Malawi with everyone at risk. In 2023 as a country 6.4 million malaria cases were reported with a total 1,670 malaria deaths, according to the ministry of health.
Malaria contributed 25 percent of all Out-Patient Department attendance, 10 percent of all admissions and 12 percent of the deaths among all cause s of deaths creating a huge workload to health workers and pressure on drugs at all health facilities.
The Malawi Government and its partners developed a Malaria Strategic Plan 2023 – 2030 with a strategic goal to eliminate malaria by the year 2030 in line with the Global Malaria TechnicaI Strategy.
Government also adopted the use of insecticide treated nets as one of the major malaria prevent ion interventions in 2005 and adopted a universal coverage policy in 2018.
WHO recommends one net for two people in order for a country to reach universal mosquito net coverage.
