The United States Government through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports a large-scale indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaign in areas of Senegal with high malaria prevalence earlier this month. PMI is providing $5.5 million USD (approximately 3 billion CFA) to support this year’s campaign, which was launched on June 3rd and is being carried out in close collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of Health and the Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme (PNLP).
IRS involves spraying insecticide on the inside walls of homes to kill the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, giving residents protection for 4 to 6 months. The IRS campaign is a key tool to combat the spread of malaria in Senegal and reduce the number of malaria-related deaths, particularly amongst pregnant women and children under age 5. This year, PMI is supporting IRS activities in the medical districts of Kedougou (region of Kedougou), Koungheul (region of Kaffrine), and Koumpentoum and MakaColibantang (region of Tambacounda).
The IRS campaign is part of a larger package of support that PMI provides to the Government of Senegal to improve the country’s health, varying between $22.5 to $25 million USD (approximately 12-13 billion CFA) each year. PMI works with the PNLP to carry out activities under its strategic plan. Recent activities include the purchase and distribution of 4 million rapid diagnostic tests, the purchase of 1 million malaria treatments, the purchase and distribution of over 2 million long-lasting insecticide treated nets (ITNs), the purchase of over 4 million seasonal chemoprevention treatments and associated operational costs, and capacity building within the health sector.
Senegal has been one of PMI’s focus countries for over 15 years. Since 2005, PMI has provided over $250 million USD (approximately 137.5 billion CFA) in support, which has significantly reduced the burden of malaria in the country and moved Senegal closer to its goal of malaria elimination.
PMI is a joint initiative of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is present in 24 countries around the world, including Senegal.
The United States Government has been a key development champion in Senegal for six decades, working with individuals, communities and the government to improve everyday lives. Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it is the biggest donor to Senegal’s health sector, providing over $60 million USD (330 billion CFA) annually.
