PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar assisted in distributing treated bed nets that arrived in large quantities at the Lethem Hospital, to doctors and residents of area, and the wider Rupununi region, while on a tour of the health facility on Saturday last.

The nets, which arrived in a stock of about 900, are part of the ongoing intervention to combat the malaria virus carried by the anopheles mosquito.
Intervention in the past has seen significant funding dedicated to anti-malaria programmes in the various regions, where a record high percent reduction in malaria incidence was noted following the distribution of the chemically-treated bed nets.
In his address at the 20th anniversary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in government on October 9, President Ramotar said malaria was quarantined and successfully reduced today by more than 90%.
In 2007, the government had set a five-year target of distributing at least three treated bed nets to every family in Region 9, in line with a policy of no child under five years or pregnant woman should sleep, day or night, without one of the nets.
“It has been found that these nets have been making a big impact in the fight against malaria… the intention is to have complete elimination of malaria and we are working constantly towards that,” President Ramotar said as he handed over the nets.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Vector Control Services Unit is carrying out fogging exercises to reduce the mosquito population in the densely populated areas.
The exercise is accompanied by an awareness message for residents to cover water storage containers and to be aware of their surroundings, particularly areas where mosquitoes breed.
The unit is collaborating with the City Council to execute this exercise.