Fight Against Malaria Gets a Boost
By Otieno Owino
NAIROBI---The fight against malaria and other mosquito transmitted diseases in Kenya received a major boost following the launch on October 3rd 2012 of the Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Kenya Chapter at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Nairobi. The official PAMCA launch for Africa will be held in October next year in Durban South Africa.
The launch of PAMCA-Kenya could be a major contribution in the eradication of malaria as it will bring together researchers, policy makers and other professionals engaged in mosquito control.
According to the World Malaria Report 2011, there were about 216million cases of malaria while the estimated deaths in 2010 were 655000. Africa is cited as the most affected region with a child dying every minute from malaria. PAMCA will be linked to the World Mosquito Control Association and the American Mosquito Control Association to strengthen its capacity in mosquito control.
Speaking at the launch, the Interim president Dr. Solomon Mpoke said that the main function of PAMCA will be to coordinate the sharing of information concerning vector control activities among Africans while promoting control of and research on mosquitoes especially in dissemination of information on the bionomics of mosquitoes across Africa and worldwide.
“The mission of PAMCA is to provide leadership, information and training leading to the enhancement of health and quality life through the suppression of mosquitoes and other mosquito transmitted diseases, and the reduction of annoyance levels caused by mosquitoes and other vectors” said Dr Mpoke.
The launch was attended by representatives from health related non governmental organizations, health sector control specialists and individuals from the private sector. In a move aimed at bolstering the association the interim president noted that it will be open to any individuals of high professional standing who work on mosquito and vector control activities across the entire African continent.
In his keynote address entitled The ideals and challenges that professionals in mosquito research and control face today and what needs to be done, Prof. Christian Borgemeister noted that despite ongoing control efforts, diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as malaria, filariasis, dengue and arboviruses continue to pose an enormous global health burden. Prof. Borgemeister is the Director General for the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe).
“Currently available methods to control mosquito vectors of malaria and mosquito borne diseases are based on the use of insecticides and elimination of breeding sites,” said Professor Borgemeister, adding that it is necessary to evaluate the risks and benefits of new technologies that could address the unmet needs of mosquito control.
PAMCA will provide a platform for interaction of entomologists, vector control mangers policy makers and researchers to share information and experiences on mosquito research and control, according to Dr. Mbogo who is a member of the organizing committee for PAMCA Kenya Chapter.