Malaria

Malaria is a key health concern in Madagascar. It is ranked as a leading cause of under-five mortality in the country and in 2008 was responsible for almost 10% of all outpatient visits and over 15% of hospital admissions in children under five years of age. The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) works to improve and sustain malaria control through proven prevention and case management activities. PMI Madagascar and malaria partners are optimistic that, with on-going support, the highlands region will reach a phase of pre-elimination of malaria by the end of 2012.

We trained this indoor residual spraying (IRS) technician to safely apply insecticide to house walls to kill and repel malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. IRS is a highly effective, proven malaria prevention strategy that saves lives.

We continue to distribute long lasting insecticide treated nets to families like this one. Using bednets drenched with insecticides has proven highly effective in preventing malaria.