Malaria nets on every bed in Ntcheu, Malawi
7 Oct 2011
A quarter of a million children better protected against malaria
Concern Universal has begun to distribute 230,000 long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLINs) in Ntcheu, to ensure that every single bed in the Central Malawi district is covered.
Malaria is a killer disease which affects nearly half of the people living in the Ntcheu District of Malawi. Around half of those affected are children under five years old, who could be protected by having a mosquito net over their bed at night.
In recent years, we have collaborated on three distributions (in parts of Phalombe, Dedza and Ntcheu Districts) distributing a total of 49,600 mosquito bed nets provided by the Against Malaria Foundation. Most importantly, because of the additional advice and support we provide with distribution, people are continuing to use these nets effectively. Follow-up surveys show that 97% of nets distributed by CU in other Districts were being used correctly and consistently six months after distribution.
Various international research studies have shown that correct and consistent use of LLINs is an extremely effective means of reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality with an investment in LLINs of US$1.75 million saving approximately 15,000 lives (on this basis the US$1.15 million investment in nets proposed in Ntcheu will save 13,420 lives). Concern Universal, working with local government in Malawi, has developed a very successful and rigorous model of net distribution and the distribution in Ntcheu will be the first time that this has been used at this scale. The results will be used to inform National Government policy and practice so that all future distributions (by the Government of Malawi and the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria) are carried out as efficiently and effectively as possible. Supply of a further 4.7 million mosquito bed nets are planned for people in Malawi, based on the successful implementation of our work in the Ntcheu District.
