By Burnett Munthali
Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud has issued a stern warning against the misuse of mosquito nets for fishing and covering vegetable gardens, stressing that such practices undermine efforts to combat malaria in Malawi. Daud delivered this message on Friday in Salima district during the launch of the Malaria Youth Corps initiative, a program aimed at engaging young people in the fight against malaria.
In her remarks, Daud highlighted the substantial investment the government makes to procure mosquito nets, emphasizing their critical role in preventing mosquito bites and reducing the spread of malaria. “We aim to eliminate malaria by 2030, so there is no need for people to be misusing mosquito nets by covering their gardens or using them for fishing,” Daud cautioned.
The Deputy Minister further encouraged the public to use mosquito nets as intended to protect themselves and their families from the deadly disease, which remains one of the leading health challenges in the country.
Echoing Daud’s sentiments, Malawi Malaria Youth Corps Chairperson Sunday Mchemela expressed the organization’s dedication to supporting the government in its mission to eradicate malaria by 2030. Mchemela reaffirmed the commitment of young people in Malawi to play a proactive role in raising awareness and ensuring the proper use of mosquito nets.
The Malaria Youth Corps initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the national fight against malaria, as Malawi intensifies efforts to eliminate the disease within the next six years.
