The summit opted to adopt the use of DDT as a strategy for eliminating malaria in Africa. Reliable sources said principally the leaders although differed in some aspects of DDT application, agreed to test it while taking maximum health precautions and care.The Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Ministry of Health ad Social Welfare, Dr Donnan Mmbando, told the ‘Daily News’ before the Abuja meeting that Tanzania would be in the position to state whether it was ready to use the chemical or not.
Dr Mmbando, when contacted yesterday, could not categorically state the country’s position. DDT – regarded as a controversial chemical, is now considered as a measure of the last resort in eradicating malaria in the continent and it took sometime before the Abuja meeting chose to agree to adopt it.
Ministry’s spokesman, Mr Synchalis Mwamwaja, despite promising to give the country’s position later today, said the country has not kept silent on the problem and was now working hard for optional pesticides.
“We are erecting our own plant in Kibaha whose materials will be used to deal with mosquitoes that spread malaria and the Cuban experts are at the site,” he said, promising to reveal the country’s stance on Abuja meeting later today. DDT is a tasteless, colourless chemical that was successfully used in the second half of World War II to control malaria among civilians and troops.
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