Article hits home..here is an excerpt from chapter 21, It is just the way it is: Malaria is still the biggest killer in Tanzania. One of the most effective ways to combat it is the use of treated mosquito nets, but villagers tend to have other plans for their nets. They use them as barriers for their crops to keep out goats and chickens. This was reported on the news, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Additionally, the funding from international donors for the insecticide that treats the mosquito nets was not renewed. When the officials brought mosquito nets for distribution in Ruvu, I asked the Ruvu village chairperson if they were being used as fishing nets. “Oh, yes,” he said. “There are not many mosquitoes in Ruvu.” He was right. Between the ocean breeze and the long dry season, mosquitoes are harder to find in Jome and Ruvu. We have other menacing biting insects, but I blame my annual bouts of malaria on my occasional overnight visits in Dar or Lindi town. Ever since the government banned small-mesh fishing nets because they are ecologically unfriendly, the people began to use mosquito nets in their place. They have asked the government many times to offer fishing nets with larger mesh, but their request has not been met.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 08:28:46 +0000
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