Communities Impress on IRS House to House Spraying in Foni as NMCP ends Campaing

The National Malaria Control Program last Sunday concluded a six -day intensive house to house indoor residual spraying campaign in the district of Foni.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Health Matters shortly after the campaign, Balla Kandeh the Senior Program officer said the exercise was jointly funded by the government of The Gambia, the Taiwanese Embassy and The President of the Republic Dr Yahya Jammeh. He described the exercise as successful noting that the communities in Foni were very co-operative with the spraymen.

During the exercise over 300 spraymen were involved drawn from NYSS and the Department of State for Health.

Aziz Ndaw, a resident of Bwiam, said prior to the spraying Mosquitoes used to disturb his family but a day after his house was sprayed he was able to sleep well without having any mosquito bites.

Amie Jarjue, a native of Ballen, commended government for coming to their aid adding that the indoor residual spraying is a good strategy to eradicate malaria in The Gambia.

Saihou Nyassi of Kampan appealed to government to do the exercise every six months.

For his part Alhagie Sankareh, senior administrator with the Regional Health Team Western, stated that before the operation all the Alkalo's in Foni were sensitised. The Indoor residual spraying was first piloted in Janjanbureh before Banjul.

Mr. Sankareh stated that the spraymen were deployed in 11 sites in Foni noting that their target is the Kombos where they want to spend 20 working days. According to him, all this depends entirely on the availability of funds in order to carry on the exercise.

He said the Department of State for Health is working very hard to secure additional funds to cover the remaining sites in the country

He commended the youth of NYSS for their dedication and commitment during the exercise.

Lamin Ceesay, district supervisor Foni Kansala, said the exercise was successful in his area. He added that this is one of the biggest exercises carried out by the National Malaria Control Programme and appealed to DOSH to begin the operation around April and May before the beginning of the rainy season depending on the availability of funds.