THE simple shield of a net soaked in
insecticide could save thousands of
children from becoming targets of
malarial carriers, reveals a study backed
by the World Health Organization
(WHO), the United Nations Development
Programme and the World Bank.
Extensiv6 studies in Kenya, Ghana and
Gambia where bednets impregnated
with permethrin, an insecticide, were
used - led to the childhood death rates
failing by a significant 30 percent and
the risk of developing malaria was
reduced by more than 40 per cent.
These tests have revealed that
malaria can be controlled in highly
endemic areas. Says Tore Godal, head
of the WHO's tropical disease research
programme, "We now have a firm basis
for actually enhancing and promoting
their (bednets) use in Africa." Adds
Jacqueline Cattani, an international
malaria expert, "The really shocking
thing is that these simple things can
reduce mortality by so much." The
mosquito nets score over other
programmes in that they do not require
the constant attention of doctors and
nurses.
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