Public Health department has embarked on an indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) program for malaria control in the resort town.
The exercise which is targeting at least 85% of the household population in town, began on the 8th of October 2018 and is expected to end on the 8th of January 2019.
Tongai Ncube, the Public Health Officer indicated that “Mosquito density has significantly dropped in our town and so is malaria as well.”
Presenting a speech at the Pan-African Mosquito Control conference held in Victoria Falls, the Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr. Brian Nyamande said: “It is imperative that we develop home-grown solutions to the malaria pandemic.”
The Local Authority is committed to upholding the gains made so far in the public health section through malaria control program and moving towards a total eradication of malaria threats in the region.
This year, the local authority was awarded a 1st runner up in the waste management category in the Megafest local government award indicating its dedication to give quality service.
Victoria Falls is in region 5 of the country which is generally warm throughout the year, conditions that are favourable for mosquito breeding, making it vulnerable to Malaria.
Despite mosquitoes being recorded as the world deadliest killers with atleast 725 000 killings a year. Victoria Falls has recorded at most… malaria related deaths over the past 15 years.
The department has in the past faced some resistance from residents who deny them access to their homes.
To ease the fear among residents, Ncube indicated that the IRS program is an exercise carried out each and every year by trained personnel who are approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care for a malaria free community.
