#SONGWE

Songwe Regional Commissioner, Dr. Francis Michael, has warned against the misuse of mosquito nets such as raising chickens or fishing.

Speaking yesterday in the region while launching a mosquito net distribution program in primary schools, Dr. Michael stressed that such actions are affecting the efforts of the Government and health stakeholders in fighting Malaria.

He also said that it is a lack of discipline and a waste of valuable resources for citizens to misuse mosquito nets for raising chickens or fishing, so legal action will be taken against those who violate the order.

“The mosquito net distribution program through primary schools aims to deliver mosquito nets to all families and increase awareness about their proper use, the goal is to fight Malaria, so I will issue a warning if I find these mosquito nets being raised for chickens or fishing, I will take strict action,” he said.

Dr. Michael stressed that the government's commitment is to ensure that the region remains a model for controlling malaria and that citizens are healthy, so it is important to have proper use to achieve success.

He said that currently Songwe Region boasts a low malaria infection rate but more efforts need to be taken to maintain that situation.

He said that the existing regional strategic plan to eradicate the disease includes ensuring that the first priority is the distribution of medicated mosquito nets and education on the proper use of mosquito nets so that it is sustainable in the community, especially for children and students in school.

For his part, the Mbeya Zone Drug Depot Manager Marco Masala said that the depot, as the distributor of the government's mosquito nets to the community, will ensure that the purpose is achieved.

He also called on the community to be prepared as the use of mosquito nets is important in eradicating malaria.