FOULPOINTE — The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI), is continuing its commitment to keep the Malagasy people safe from malaria. The Ministry of Public Health and USAID/PMI have launched a community distribution of 1 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets. The nets and the distribution campaign are funded by USAID, with a total value of $3.88 million.

In 2018, USAID and The Global Fund distributed a total of 13 million mosquito nets across Madagascar. The 1 million new mosquito nets will replace nets that have been damaged and will also ensure that new households are protected.

The malaria prevention and bed net distribution campaign is coordinated between the Ministry of Public Health, through the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP), and USAID/PMI’s IMPACT project, which operates in 13 regions of Madagascar and aims to ensure access to quality medicines and health products for the people of Madagascar.

This distribution also includes an exciting new partnership with the Ministry of National Education.

“70,000 fourth grade students will be serving as Agents of Change in their communities,” explained USAID Mission Director John Dunlop. “They have been shown why mosquito nets are important and how to properly use them. With this knowledge, these students will become teachers – educating their families and other students about the need for mosquito nets.” The students will also help guide the distribution of nets by identifying homes that have missing or damaged mosquito nets.

Director Dunlop called the student involvement, “a great example of civic engagement and community service in the field of public health.”

The 1 million bed nets will be distributed to improve and maintain protection among families in select districts in the most malaria endemic regions of Madagascar. The campaign supports the PNLP’s strategic objective to protect at least 90% of the population in key areas with long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets by the end of 2022.