IRS launched in Lukulu

Lukulu, The Department of Health in Lukulu District has launched the 2020 Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) under the theme; “Spraying for impact, leaving no structure unsprayed”.And Lukulu District Acting District Commissioner Mukela Mwangala said Government’s mission is to provide equitable access to cost effective and quality health services as close to families as possible especially anti-malarial services.Mr. Mwangala said it is important that communities welcome this service 100 percent for it to be effective.Speaking at the District launch in Luvuzi area yesterday the Acting DC said Government’s vision of the new national strategy is to attain a malaria free Zambia by eliminating local malaria infection and disease by 2021.“Our government’s resolve to completely eliminate malaria by 2021 should be taken seriously because we only have one year left. Let us all ensure that we drive our communities towards zero-malaria come 2021”, Said Mr. Mwangala.Meanwhile the DC is dismayed that the district is the second highest in malaria burden in the province with an incidence rate of 656 per 1000 and a mortality of two per thousand.He mentioned some of the contributing factors as vast mosquito breeding sites, misuse of insecticide treated nets, high number of refusals to IRS and also failure to complete malaria treatment by patients.“Let us emphasize on enhancing prevention as it is a critical means of closing the gap and ending malaria for good. The highly affected communities should have access to long lasting insecticide mosquito nets and carrying out indoor residual spraying”, He said.And Lukulu District Health Director Raymond Musonda said the district is expecting about 20 thousand nets meant for IRS.“Some areas will be sprayed while others will be given nets. As the office we expect the communities to be positive towards the activities and not to misuse”, Said Mr. Musonda. ZANIS The Sun