[afro-nets] Is elimination of malaria in Africa by 2010unrealistic? (10)

["BTA Maegga" <maeggabta@africaonline.co.tz>]

Is elimination of malaria in Africa by 2010unrealistic? (10)
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Hi there!

Let's not apportion blame, but try to rectify the errors of policy and practice of the past and create new approach where all available tools are utilised to improve the situation.

And by the way, why do we always talk of elimination / eradication instead of chipping this problem little at a time from the easily doable edges? To me, the idea of "eradicating malaria" in Africa rings a false note, for a problem whose magnitude is huge and variable. It would have been more realistic to classify and divide into phases, of regions where immediate elimination is realistic, and those where substantial reduction is more practical and then proceed from there.

For instance, right where I am sitting now, I can see someone who is busy doing some outdoor activity that is definitely contributing to mosquito breeding sites that will affect the whole neighbourhood; and there are lots of these events in both urban and rural areas, every day. We have some way to go to adopt healthy habits in our environment, let alone do something about the natural ecology of the vectors that will lead to reduction of vector breeding source. I don't believe chemotherapy and prevent vector ? human contact alone will / can provide the ultimate solution. All available tools should be used. Above all, the war against malaria needs "awareness creation? and education of the general population so that all individuals can participate in protecting themselves against infection and preventing the disease by avoiding activities, which contribute to its increase. These combined individual actions, if added the public service preventive and curative measures, have a chance of bringing down malaria to level, which is not of public health importance. All will take time, even with heavy investment, and 2010 seems too soon. Reviving the active vector control approaches by various strategies will make a good Start on the renewed initiative.

BTA Maegga
mailto:maeggabta@africaonline.co.tz