DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 April) – A Department of Health official in Region 11 has reported that some of those who received mosquito nets treated with chemicals against malaria and dengue used these for fishing and farming purposes.
“We’ve had reports of fisherfolk using the nets in their fishing and farmers using the nets to dry cacao crops,” said Antonieta Ebol, head of the malaria and dengue program of DOH-11, during awarding ceremonies for the region’s malaria program at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Friday last week.
She lamented why the beneficiaries do not use the mosquito nets properly since these would help protect them from the diseases. “The nets are able to protect the beneficiaries for up to five years,” Ebol added.
She said that while the DOH was against the misuse of the nets, the beneficiaries would be better off waiting until the efficacy expired before deciding to use it for other purposes.
The beneficiaries would even be given additional nets after the treated nets expire, she added.[]/a> with |||
She said it was the Department of Social Welfare and Development that identified the beneficiaries from among the poorest of the poor, through the conditional cash transfer program.
Another priority areas for the nets are far-flung communities with identified cases of malaria and dengue.
The mosquito nets, called long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN), are part of the agency’s strengthening of vector control against malaria, according to a presentation Ebol showed to awardees and officials from the region’s malaria program at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Friday.
Ebol said that communities should also avail of the DOH’s indoor residual spraying program to deter the entry of the mosquitoes from their homes.
Vector control prevents malaria transmission by reducing human-vector contact, decreasing vector population, increasing adult vector mortality, and preventing and controlling epidemics, she said.
Ebol said new measures were in place to increase awareness and distribute more LLINs in the region’s far-flung communities.
But the city isn’t safe from the disease yet, she said.
