NEMA Sets Terms On DDT
Mar 30, 2004
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has asked the Ministry of Health to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before re-introducing DDT.
By Charles Wendo
and Fred Ouma
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has asked the Ministry of Health to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before re-introducing DDT.
The use of DDT is not allowed in Uganda and most other countries on grounds that it persists in the environment and has adverse effects on health, fertility and the environment.
However, the Ministry of Health wants to re-introduce the chemical, known in full as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, for indoor spraying as one of the means to fight malaria.
The ministry says DDT will be used only for indoor spraying and will not harm the environment.
However, NEMA has written back to the Ministry saying such an exercise could not be allowed without going through the formal procedures.
“Our stand is that if anything is to be done, let's have an EIA and evaluate the alternatives before we go ahead,†said Arnold Waiswa, an EIA coordinator.
In the EIA, NEMA wants health officials to specify the possible adverse effects of DDT and how they would be mitigated.
They are also expected to list the alternatives and explain why they prefer DDT.
In addition they are also expected to specify how they will proceed with spraying and dispose of the empty containers.
The Ministry of Health commissioner in charge of community health, Dr. Sam Okware, said they would seek NEMA approval before they import the chemical. He said when carefully used only for indoor spraying, DDT does not have adverse effects.
The World Health Organisation shares this position.
“We shall first implement it in a few areas and keep monitoring,†Okware said.
Countries like South Africa, Ethiopia and Swaziland said the use of DDT drastically cut down the incidence of malaria.
Ends
and Fred Ouma
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has asked the Ministry of Health to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before re-introducing DDT.
The use of DDT is not allowed in Uganda and most other countries on grounds that it persists in the environment and has adverse effects on health, fertility and the environment.
However, the Ministry of Health wants to re-introduce the chemical, known in full as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, for indoor spraying as one of the means to fight malaria.
The ministry says DDT will be used only for indoor spraying and will not harm the environment.
However, NEMA has written back to the Ministry saying such an exercise could not be allowed without going through the formal procedures.
“Our stand is that if anything is to be done, let's have an EIA and evaluate the alternatives before we go ahead,†said Arnold Waiswa, an EIA coordinator.
In the EIA, NEMA wants health officials to specify the possible adverse effects of DDT and how they would be mitigated.
They are also expected to list the alternatives and explain why they prefer DDT.
In addition they are also expected to specify how they will proceed with spraying and dispose of the empty containers.
The Ministry of Health commissioner in charge of community health, Dr. Sam Okware, said they would seek NEMA approval before they import the chemical. He said when carefully used only for indoor spraying, DDT does not have adverse effects.
The World Health Organisation shares this position.
“We shall first implement it in a few areas and keep monitoring,†Okware said.
Countries like South Africa, Ethiopia and Swaziland said the use of DDT drastically cut down the incidence of malaria.
Ends