Gambia’s health officials declare ‘war’ against mosquitoes in Banjul

Banjul, Gambia(PANA) - Officials of the ministry of Health, in partnership of with the Banjul City Council, Monday declared an indefinite ‘war’ against mosquitoes.

Gambian Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh disclosed this here when he launched a fogging machine to be used to spray the city of Banjul and other villages and towns in the country to get rid of mosquitoes and other flying insects.

Public health officials will be conducting daily routine inspection of houses and other places in the Island city for the spraying exercise, which is expected to be extended to other parts of the country.

“We have known the mortality and mobility caused by malaria in our communities. Malaria is responsible for a lot of deaths in The Gambia both in our children and in adults.

“Of recent, we have seen a spike in the incidence of malaria across the length and breadth of the country which is usual after heavy rains,” Samateh said.

According to him, when the manager of the malaria control programme informed him of the initiative, he asked him to go to the councils and engage them about the matter.

The minister said the launching of the fumigating machine had come at the right time when the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection continued raging across the globe.

Deputy Mayor Omar B.J Touray, representing the mayor of Banjul, welcomed the gesture and thanked the authorities at the ministry of Health.

“We will be very excited to see this programme is a successful one. All Banjulians in their hearts appreciate this from your ministry,” he said.

He described malaria as a very dangerous disease that spared no-one.

-0-   PANA   MSS/RA   9Nov2020