22m treated nets coming

Twenty-two million insecticide treated mosquito nets will be distributed countrywide next month by the Population Service International (PSI) through the Global Fund for Aids, Tuberculosis and  Malaria (GFATM) to support programme to combat the spread of malaria in the country. 

 

The mosquito nets were scheduled for distribution early this year, however, according to the PSI  deputy country representative, Romanus Mtung’e the programme required finalising important elements including household recipient registration.

 

Speaking exclusively with the Guardian early this week the deputy country representative said the treated mosquito nets would be distributed to all regions in the mainland except in Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma.

 

He said the three regions would not be recipient of the programme since they had received Long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The initiative is a pilot programme for distributing free LLINs in schools. The three regions are set to benefit from the initiative for third consecutive term this year.

 

Mtung’e told the Guardian, already public awareness campaign and household registration had been successfully commissioned in the Lake Zone regions. He said a rollout for other regions would follow in the southern highlands regions.

 

“Now the Lake Zone awaits actual distribution of LLINs any time from next month,” he said.

 

However, he said the only challenge facing his team in Lake Zone was the fact that there was serious abuse of LLINs because some residents used them in illegal fishing activities.

 

Mtung’e insisted however that it was the government commitment to ensure that all regions benefitted from the massive LLINs distribution.

 

Apparently, he conceded that if there were free LLINs distributed along with free bed nets to pregnant mothers through antenatal clinics would cover the population by 80 per cent.

 

The latest clarification from PSI symbolises new development for fill—in—the gap after the UK government’s funding support for the National Voucher Scheme (NVS) announcement to indefinitely freeze the support last year.

 

The sad news came after alleged reports of fund misappropriation.

 

Dr Susan Mpanga Mukasa, PSI country representative revealed in Dar es Salaam last year.

 

The Global Fund will provide at least 20 million insecticide treated mosquito nets that will be distributed for free to expectant mothers in  a  move aimed at  supporting  the country’s efforts  to combat  the spread of Malaria.

 

In another development, the PSI deputy country representative, noted that his institution had managed to connect at least 261 out of 300 private health centres to offer family planning services, cervical cancer screening and treatment as well as the ability to provide integrated management of childhood illnesses. 

 

He said the 261 private health centres were within 18 regions in Tanzania mainland.

 

“This development has resulted to more than 8,000 women being screened for cervical cancer, 200 getting preventive treatment though PSI and 82 others were referred for further cancer treatment,” he detailed.