A campaign aimed at reducing malaria and eventually eradicating it in a rural settlement of Barrow Kunda in The Gambia was recently launched in the Upper River Region.
Speaking at the start of the campaign, Kukulay Barrow, a representative of the village Alkalo thanked all those who have contributed to the positive realisation of the project, describing the move as timely and relevant.
For his part, Mr. Nfamara Jawneh, the Secretary-General of Beakanyang encouraged the community to always clean their environment. "We would hardly succeed in our campaign if we continue to live in a dirty environment," he stressed.
He revealed that their aim is to reduce malaria through the provision of bed nets to every person in the community, ensure that the environment is clean at all times and to regularly organise sensitisations and follow-up.
According to him, they have raised over ten thousand dollars to ensure a successful implementation of the project.
"When successful in here, we intend to expand the project to other communities," says Mr. Jawneh.
He thanked the Regional Health Team, Peace Corps and their ex-volunteers who once lived in the village and the Village Development Committee for their immense contribution to the project.
Deputising for the Head of Regional Health Team, Mr. Mbai Njie hailed the community and their partners for the initiative. The move, he said, will go a long way towards complementing government's efforts in health service delivery. He advised the people in the community to always sleep under a bed net.
According to him, prevalence of malaria is reducing significantly, thanks to the various interventions of government and it development partners. He expressed optimism in the fight against the killer-disease.
Meanwhile, as part of the campaign, the project officials distributed free of charge over eight hundred long lasting treated bed nets to the communities of Barrow Kunda, Manakoto Keita and Manakoto Foday, respectively.
Mamadi Sidibeh of VDC warned the beneficiaries not to sell their bed nets.
Other speakers included the VDC Chairman, Karamo Touray and the Village Health Nurse, Amadou Jallow.
