GAMBIA EMBARKS ON NATION WIDE VECTOR CONTROL EXERCISE

By Momodou Faal, The Gambia

The National Malaria Control Programme of the Gambia (NMCP) in collaboration with the Department of state for Health recently embarked on a week long nation wide vector control campaign in Banjul and its environs.

Vector control also known as biolavicide applying or spraying is one of the strategies NMCP used for controlling malaria.

The campaign geared towards reducing mosquitoes and malaria cases in the country .Speaking to reporters during the exercise Mr.Lamin Jarju senior official of the national malaria control programme, said the biolavicide spraying is more economical to control mosquitoes larva at the early stage.

He added that at the larva stage of breeding one can apply the biolavicide spaying anyhow you like to control it adding that at this stage the larva cannot move from one stage to another like the adult mosquito .According to him NMCP has different ways or strategies of controlling malaria, which he revealed includes case management, intermittent preventive treatment (IPT), insecticides treated net (ITN) and the vector control

He stated that during the raining season malaria is widely spread, saying that this is why NMCP conduct the exercise at the time in the urban and rural areas.

He also noted at the rural areas, the national malaria control programme will sprayed the rice fields, swampy areas, rivers sides among other places.

Mr. Bala Kandeh, Senior programme officer National malaria control programme also assured the general public that the exercise would reduce the burden of the mosques in the communities. He thanks the Medical research council (MRC) for its support to the NMCP on the larva control project in farafenni and lower River Region.

Kandeh added that MRC contributes immensely to the campaign dating far back from 1994, and attributed their success in the fight against malaria to the support given by MRC.

Mam sai Njie-Sanneh, Mayoress of Banjul City Council, expressed delight to DOSH and NMCP for the initiative, saying “We are very grateful for the campaign and we do appreciate it.

She disclosed that malaria has been a common disease in Banjul especially during the rainy season as a result of many breeding places for mosquitoes in the city.

She also attributed the problem to poor drainage system in some street in Banjul, and urged NMCP to do such exercise on monthly basis.

Fatou Tunkara, a resident of Tabacco Road Banjul North, also appealed for regular visitation in her area, which has the highest breeding places for mosquitoes.

Another resident, Amadou Bah said despite sleeping under treated bed nets, they suffer from mosquito bites. As early as 7pm, we make sure that our doors are lock. And you hardly sit outside after that time, he noted.