04.15.2010

Benin's Third Round of Indoor Residual Spraying on Track

James Knight, the U.S. Ambassador to Benin, accompanied by Professor Issifou Takpara, Minister of Health, visited the communities of Akpro Missérété, Seme Kpodji Adjohoun and Dangbo, which are located in the Ouémé-Plateau region of southern Benin. The purpose of the visit was to observe progress of the third round of the indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaign that began on March 9, 2010.

The IRS campaign takes place within the framework of the U.S. Government initiative to fight malaria (PMI) in Benin and is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC / Atlanta), and the Ministry of Health of Benin. The purpose of IRS is to reduce malaria transmission in areas where cases of malaria are the most numerous.

IRS is implemented by RTI International (RTI) and the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and complements other components of PMI such as the acquisition of combination therapy with artemisinin (CTA) for the management of malaria, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for the intermittent preventive treatment of women during pregnancy, and bed nets impregnated with long lasting action insecticides.

“The fight against malaria exemplifies the excellence of international cooperation that serves and benefits the most vulnerable populations of Benin,” said Knight.

The American people have already invested more than $ 5 million over the previous two campaigns of indoor spraying of insecticide in Benin. These spraying campaigns have helped to protect 522.000 people against malaria. USAID also plans to invest 7.5 million dollars in 2010 in vector control activities in Benin. These funds are intended to strengthen the actions of the Government of Benin-led fight against malaria with the help of other partners such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF and the Government of Benin.

Knight thanked health sector leaders and stakeholders and other Beninese institutions that have contributed to the smooth start of this pilot intervention. The indoor spraying of insecticide is an example of the American people’s contribution to the efforts of the Government of Benin to reduce transmission of malaria. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Government to support Benin and facilitate access of its populations to quality health services, and enable them to better contribute to the economic and social development of Benin.