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Activists want malaria brought under control...
2008-04-26 09:55:53
By Hannah Mwandoloma
Health and environment activists have urged the government to work out effective solutions towards malaria control and reducing reliance on dicholr-diphenyl-trichlorethylene (DDT), a pesticide used to kill mosquitos.
Marking the International Malaria Day yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Agenda, an NGO dealing with environmental issues and responsible development told journalists at a press conference that looking for effective solutions to the problem required a political will.
Speaking on behalf of 44 NGOs, CSOs and individuals working in environment and health sectors, the Agenda senior programme officer, Silvani Mng`anya, said that Tanzania can learn from other countries that have succeeded in reducing malaria without using DDT.
``Countries like Vietnam and Mexico, among others, have managed to reduce malaria incidence and deaths up to 97 per cent through effective alternative means,`` he said.
Mng'anya said this year`s theme for the Day is 'Malaria: A disease Without Borders,` emphasising the need for global collaboration in fighting it, including the need for cross-border strategies.
He however said that the DDT indoor residual spraying (IRS) does not match this years` theme.
Mng'anya added that the concerned organisations and individuals have decided to write a letter to the Minister for Health and Social Welfare on the reintroduction of DDT for IRS in malaria control.
``We have written down our concerns about the use of DDT to the minister on the occasion of World Malaria Day so that when the government thinks of reintroducing DDT, it should also remember the effects of using it,`` Mng`anya said.
In their letter, activists identified the alternative means with full community participation including clear policies on DDT and guidelines based on the demands of the Stockholm Convention, as the way to fight malaria and saving more lives.
DDT is one of the 12 initial persistent organic pollutants (PPOs) targeted for elimination by the Stockholm Convention to which Tanzania is a party.
The Convention was adopted in May 2001 after being signed by more than 90 states.
It entered into force three years later after being ratified by 50 countries and currently with 153 parties.
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