Free
distribution of mosquito nets in Kenya has reduced by nearly half the
number of child deaths from malaria in high-risk areas. The World
Health Organisation has issued new guidance that nets should be given
away rather than sold in the developing world. In a groundbreaking
project, Kenya’s Health Ministry has distributed 13.5 million
insecticide-treated nets across the country since 2003, with the result
that the number of children sleeping under a net went from 5% to 52%.
Early results from the programme show that in four high-risk areas,
childhood deaths from malaria have fallen by 44%. Three hospitals in
the malarial-prone coastal areas reported a drop in admissions of 57%
in 2006, compared with 1999.
Shouldn't this open up the debate once again over the use of DDT as opposed to using preventative methods? Arguably persons may still need to be advised on getting the best out of the use for nets or even better still, using medicated ones - but how about also addressing hygyiene pertaining to discarding of rubbish and dredging stagnant lakes/ponds/drainage points?
"Worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."