Burundi distributes mosquito nets to combat malaria

Burundian public health minister Monday launched the distribution of mosquito nets in special groupings to combat malaria believed to be the first killer disease in the east African nation.

"This campaign of distributing some 148,400 mosquito nets in special groupings like boarding schools, military and police barracks, orphanages, convents, prisons and refugee camps will contribute to the reduction of deaths related to malaria," said Burundian Public Health and AIDS Control Minister Dr Josiane Nijimbere.

According to her, in addition to the distribution of mosquito nets, there will be home spraying in two most affected provinces in order to kick away mosquitoes that are at the origin of malaria.

She indicated that those provinces include Ngozi and Muyinga located in the north of Burundi.

"In Ngozi, home spraying will target four districts including Nyamurenza, Kiremba, Marangara and Tangara. In Muyinga province, home spraying will be done in Mwakiro, Buhinyuza, Gasorwe and Gashoho and Muyinga district," said Nijimbere.

She added that malaria is the first killer disease in Burundi and the first cause of hospitalization.

"A survey recently made shows that 30.3 percent of people going to consult physicians have malaria. Besides, 42.1 percent of children aged less than five years who die in hospitals die of malaria," said Nijimbere.

She indicated that the Burundian government has taken measures to reduce the mortality rate caused by malaria.

According to her, those measures include the distribution, since 2005, of mosquito nets to people especially pregnant women and children who are taken to immunization centers.

"Between 2009 and 2011, over 4.3 million mosquito nets were distributed nationwide and in 2014 over 5 million mosquito nets were again distributed," said Nijimbere.

Burundi's total population is currently estimated at 10 million people. Endit