HOPEFUL: UNAS chief Prof. Paul Mugambi and Browning

By Fred Ouma
and Shaban Halima

THE US government is prepared to fund the spraying of DDT to control malaria. US ambassador Steven Browning said once the government puts in place the necessary structures and plans for the safe use of the insecticide, it would support the campaign.

The World Health organisation recently recommended wider use of DDT in Africa to eliminate malaria.

Browning said the US’s regulations required an environmental impact statement before supporting the procurement or use of any pesticide, including DDT and others used for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).
IRS involves spraying inside walls to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Browning also said the regulations emphasised a comprehensive mechanism to ensure safe use of the pesticide, particularly in the areas of training personnel, insecticide transportation, storage, environmental and human health monitoring and evaluation.

“If the Uganda government requested funds to use DDT in its indoor spraying programme, and if our strict regulations are met, the US will provide funds for DDT’s use in Uganda’s spraying campaigns. As of now, no such request has been made,” he said.

Browning said this on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day forum to provide independent evidence-based advice to the Government and the public on malaria control and prevention at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.

Over 50 top scientists, including former Vice-President Dr. Specioza Wandira, attended a forum jointly organised by the Uganda National Academy of Science (UNAS) and the US National Academies.