Djibouti Launches Indoor Spraying Campaign to Combat Malaria

Djibouti's Health Minister, Mona Osman Adam, launched an indoor spraying campaign on Monday to enhance the country's efforts to combat malaria. The campaign aims to reduce the spread of the disease and eliminate the mosquito that transmits it. The strategy involves intensifying preventive interventions and expanding health measures in targeted residential areas. The launch event was held at the Hamad Maki clinic, attended by health officials, community leaders, and representatives from international organizations.

The minister emphasized that combating malaria is a national priority, as outlined by President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. She stressed the need for collective action and close coordination between local authorities, health officials, and community members to effectively tackle the disease. The minister also highlighted the importance of community engagement in the success of this initiative, which aims to reduce the transmission of malaria and ultimately eliminate it in Djibouti.

The campaign uses a technique recommended by the World Health Organization, which involves spraying long-lasting insecticides on indoor surfaces to kill mosquitoes that come into contact with them. The minister visited the Angéla neighborhood, where she observed the spraying process and familiarized herself with the procedures used to implement the campaign. She encouraged residents to cooperate fully with the teams carrying out the spraying and to follow the instructions provided.

The spraying campaign is part of Djibouti's national strategy to combat malaria, which has made significant progress in recent years. Partners and stakeholders have welcomed the efforts made by the Djiboutian government, emphasizing the importance of continued coordination and community mobilization to support field interventions and ensure the protection of the population.

The minister appealed to residents in the targeted areas to collaborate with the teams and facilitate their work by following the instructions provided. She also encouraged them to take advantage of the guidance and explanations provided by specialists and to ask questions about the different stages of the process.

The World Health Organization's representative in Djibouti, Farah Had Hassan Farah, welcomed the launch of the campaign, highlighting the importance of indoor spraying in reducing the spread of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. He called on residents to cooperate with health teams and follow the guidelines provided to ensure the effectiveness of the interventions.

The campaign aims to eliminate malaria in Djibouti by reducing the transmission of the disease and protecting the population. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating malaria, and the minister has emphasized that it is a shared responsibility that requires the involvement of all stakeholders.

Key points

• The campaign uses long-lasting insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization to kill mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
• The minister emphasized the importance of community engagement and cooperation in the success of the initiative.
• The campaign aims to eliminate malaria in Djibouti by reducing the transmission of the disease and protecting the population.