By Vincent Emong
KUMI — Authorities in Kumi District have issued a strong warning to residents against selling or misusing government-distributed mosquito nets, as a large-scale malaria prevention campaign gets underway across the district.
The distribution exercise, which has officially kicked off, is targeting households in all sub-counties, town councils, and divisions, in a coordinated effort to curb malaria infections—one of the leading public health challenges in the area.
Speaking during the launch, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environmental Health and District Malaria Focal Person, Moses Oonyu, confirmed that the exercise had been carefully planned and rolled out to benefit communities at all levels.
“These nets were delivered to parishes three weeks ago. Now, every household is expected to receive at least one net,” Oonyu said.
The campaign covers all 18 sub-counties and divisions, as well as 154 parishes and 339 villages, targeting a population of over 317,000 people.
Oonyu emphasized the urgency of the intervention, revealing that malaria prevalence in Kumi District currently stands at 49 percent.
“That is why I urge everyone—do not sleep without a mosquito net. Not just today or tomorrow, but every single day,” he stressed.
He acknowledged that the available nets may not fully meet demand but encouraged households to share responsibly.
“At least two people can share one net. Every household should have one or two nets to ensure protection,” he explained.
Oonyu also provided guidance on proper usage and maintenance of the mosquito nets, advising residents to hang them in the shade for about 30 minutes before use to reduce irritation from the chemical treatment.
He warned against improper handling, including washing nets too soon or using harsh chemicals that could damage their effectiveness.
“Do not wash the net immediately. Wait for six months and use only mild soap. Avoid chemicals like Jik,” he advised.
Residents were further encouraged to repair torn nets instead of discarding them, to maintain continuous protection against mosquito bites.
Issuing a firm warning, Oonyu cautioned against the sale or misuse of the nets.
“These nets are given free of charge. Anyone found selling them will face legal action. This support is meant to save lives,” he said.
He concluded by calling for collective responsibility, noting that Kumi District is part of the national malaria elimination efforts.
“We are in the malaria elimination phase. Let us all take responsibility by using the nets correctly every night so that together we can eliminate malaria,” he said.
As the exercise continues across the district, leaders are optimistic that proper use of mosquito nets will significantly reduce malaria cases and improve the health of communities.
