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Latest News Nets in numbers

Nets in Numbers

20 April 2011
London, 19th April 2011: As World Malaria Day approaches, Malaria Consortium is delighted to announce that it has distributed almost 15 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets since it began operations in 2003.

When used correctly, sleeping under a treated mosquito net dramatically reduces the likelihood of contracting malaria and can protect two people per net for up to three years. It is also cost-effective, as a net can be purchased and delivered to those most at risk for just £5. It is therefore a pivotal tool in halting the devastating effect of the disease.

Dr. Albert Killian, Malaria Consortium’s Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, has presented both the annual distribution figures and the cumulative numbers for the organisation’s distribution of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in some of the most malaria-endemic countries in Africa.

This year, Malaria Consortium distributed 4.7 million nets, bringing the organisational total since 2003 to 14.9 million nets. Of these, the majority have been delivered to Uganda (6.6 million), followed by Mozambique and Nigeria (around three million nets in each country) and a million each in Southern Sudan and Ghana.

While recent distributions have been primarily through one-off campaigns (71 percent), with the remainder reaching those most at risk via public and commercial distributions, top-ups and replenishments, the Malaria Consortium has invested major efforts into designing and testing continuous distribution systems.  All Malaria Consortium’s programmes are supported by behaviour change communication and education to ensure the highest use and maintenance of the nets. Follow up monitoring and evaluation of net usage and wear and tear is also often part of the process.

“The consistent use of long-lasting insecticidal nets will continue to have a real impact on mortality rates for malaria across endemic regions,” said Dr Sylvia Meek, Malaria Consortium’s Technical Director. “Malaria Consortium is committed to reducing malaria, and LLINs are one of the most effective tools for prevention. We cannot rely on campaigns alone to maintain high coverage and use, so we are working hard on developing practical systems of continuous distribution.”

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For more information, please contact Diana Thomas
[email protected]

 

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