South Sudan’s national Ministry of Health, together with health partners and the Lakes State government, on Thursday launched the distribution of 888,600 long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets across the state in an effort to reduce malaria.
The campaign will be implemented by the Women Agency for Resilience and Transformation (WART) in collaboration with the Lakes State Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the launch, WART Executive Director Abuk Mayen said the organization would lead the distribution effort across the state’s eight counties and work closely with local authorities.
She thanked the state government for its support and said the organization would engage county commissioners to ensure the nets reach communities.
“We are here to launch the program, but our role is also to support the community and work with stakeholders so that the impact of this distribution can be measured when we come back again,” she said.
Mayen noted that mass mosquito net distributions are typically carried out every three years and said WART hoped to see a measurable reduction in malaria cases after the campaign.
Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the World Health Organization representative in South Sudan, said malaria remains one of the leading health challenges in the state.
“The number one cause of death is pneumonia-related conditions, the second is diarrheal diseases, and the third is malaria,” he said. “The state has made good progress in treating pneumonia in hospitals, and work is ongoing in communities to address diarrheal diseases.”
He said the mosquito net campaign would help reduce malaria deaths if communities use the nets properly.
“It is a simple intervention. When people receive information and know how to use these resources, we will see a significant drop in the deaths people are facing in Lakes State,” he said.
National Health Minister Sarah Cleto Rial said malaria remains a major cause of death in South Sudan and stressed that the nets must be used properly.
“We don’t want to lose our children, pregnant mothers, brothers or sisters to malaria,” she said. “This distribution is part of malaria prevention, and what we want is for people to use the nets correctly.”
Rial said each household in Lakes State would receive mosquito nets and urged authorities to ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries.
“There are allegations that mosquito nets are sometimes diverted,” she said. “It is the responsibility of the government, the governor, county commissioners, chiefs and civil society to ensure that every family receives them.”
Lakes State Governor Madhang Majok Meen said malaria affects people of all ages and warned officials against diverting the nets.
“We will make sure these mosquito nets reach the people who need them,” he said. “We will advise commissioners and distribution teams to ensure the nets do not end up in the market.”
He added that authorities would take action if mosquito nets meant for communities were found being sold.