Thabiso Nxumalo
Chiredzi District has through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) embarked on a door-to-door mosquito spray campaign under the theme “Leave no house unsprayed” in a bid to combat Malaria outbreaks.
Chief Neromwe born Clemence Madzingo confirmed the campaign and said that they will work on getting every house sprayed thus encourage residents to embrace the campaign as it is beneficial to them and will go a long way in reducing malaria cases in the Lowveld.
“If all goes well, we are not expecting any Malaria outbreaks in Chiredzi because we have a big team on the ground that is working tirelessly to leave no house unsprayed.
“I urge all residents to co-operate and embrace the exercise. I know most people say the spray has a bad smell but it is to their benefit. The spray is proven to be very effective and it gives full guarantee that the house will not have mosquitoes,” said Chief Neromwe.
Chiredzi District Medical Officer Dr Brian Dhlandhlara said this campaign is headed by the MoHCC and they are currently rolling out phase one of the programme and have already covered six wards.
He also added that the exercise was not compulsory hence, residents have an option to refuse the spraying process though he encouraged them to get their houses sprayed to avoid Malaria outbreaks.
“We are doing a door-to-door spraying campaign in order to avoid malaria this time around. We are currently rolling out phase one that includes Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and so far have covered six wards.
“Not everyone is accepting to have their house sprayed but it is only a few that refuse hence in that sense we are heading to a Malaria free Chiredzi because the numbers are going up,” said Dr Dhlandhlara.
Malaria remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Chiredzi due to increased irrigation activities coupled with high temperatures.
