A week long indoor residual spraying exercise geared towards controlling and preventing malaria was recently conducted in the Central River Region.

The exercise, organised by the National Malaria Control Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was officially launched by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr Saihou Janneh on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr Mariatou Jallow.

In his launching statement, Mr Janneh described malaria as the leading cause of mobidity and mortality especially among children under five years and pregnant women. He said the exercise is in line with President Jammeh’s malaria eradication initiative.

“Programms such as the President’s Malaria Eradication Initiative and the Global Fund Against Malaria and Tuberculosis and many other national malaria programs, are all geared towards reducing the numbers of people becoming sick or dying of malaria”, he said.

According to PS Janneh, the residual insecticide, if applied correctly on the surfaces where malaria vectors rest, will kill all parasites and that the chemical can last for six months on a wall. He commended the people of the Central River Region for their commitment towards the exercise.

For his part, Mr Malang Fofana, Program Manager, National Malaria Control Program said malaria is a major public health concern as it has no borders. “Every second, a child dies due to malaria”, he said while commending the government for its political commitments in the fight against malaria in the country. Mr Fofana also called on the respective communities to effectively participate in the fight against malaria.

Mr Momodou Lamin Manneh, Regional Health Director underscored the need for the fight against malaria to be a collaborative effort. He thanked the President for the good initiative in eradicating malaria in the country.

The ceremony was chaired by Ganyie Touray, Governor of the region. Governor Touray called on the people of his region to fully participate in the exercise.

Other speakers on the occasion include Hon. Sainey Mbye, National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum, Chief Bakary Jam Jawo among others.