In its drive to eradicate malaria in the country, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), in collaboration with the Department of State for Health, last week embarked on a massive house-to-house spraying exercise in Foni, Western Region.

The exercise lasted for seven days and covered villages from Bullock to Sintet via Kalaji.
The men and women engaged in the exercise were drawn from the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) with a team of supervisors from DoSH, who underwent a two-day intensive training on the use of spraying equipment and chemicals before being deployed to various districts in the Fonis.

Shortly before the teams were despatched to their respective destinations, Balla Kandeh, the coordinator of the exercise, briefed the teams and advised them to carry out their duties in a disciplined and respectful manner.

He emphasised that they were dealing with harmful chemicals and should be careful whilst carrying out the exercise. He tasked them to counsel the landlords and residents of the compounds to stay out whilst spraying was being done and one hour thereafter.

Michael Mendy, the area supervisor told them to focus on their work, adding that they should not touch anything whilst carrying out the exercise.
He reminded them that they should remove all food and drink items from the houses and that each day’s exercise should only last for six hours, noting that they should wash all equipment after use.

In Sibanor, the residents welcomed the initiative as a move in the right direction.
It could be recalled that over the years, the National Malaria Control Programme in collaboration with DoSH has embarked on a series of campaigns ranging from bednet dipping to house-to-house spraying exercises nationwide.

This year, the spraying will be followed by a bednet dipping campaign, which will take off soon after the spraying exercise in Foni.
The dipping exercise will be a nationwide campaign that will target under-fives and pregnant women.