138.567 mosquito bed nets distributed in K’ba

By Sirri NTONIFOR TANGWE in Kumba
Inhabitants of the Kumba Health District have been the happy recipients of 138.567 bed nets, distributed from November 10th to 14th after a three-month delay. Anti-mosquito bed nets which were to be distributed in August only reached the hands of the population at risk three months after the fact. According to the Kumba District Medical Officer, Dr. Mbamulu N. Achu, the nets have been occupying a disturbingly large portion of a men’s ward in his Health District Service for over a month but the rains and deplorable state of roads led to a postponement of the distribution period. Till date, communities of Dikome Balue and Big ‘Mbandji’ are still experiencing an extended delay because these villages remain inaccessible due to bad roads. Another reason proffered by the DMO is the late deployment of funds from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Public Health as a result of the readjustment of the Cameroonian government’s priorities in the face of Boko Haram attacks. Thus, those who survived the assaults of Boko Haram could very well have found their death from mosquito attacks in the intervening period. According to the latest WHO figures, malaria currently causes 5.57% of all deaths in Cameroon.

    For the most part, the snags in the distribution process were brought on by persons who were not counted during the census turning up to collect nets. These were turned away while those who’ve their vouchers were duly attended to. Generally in Kumba, the process was smooth and rapid although there were few centres where people had to wait for over three hours to collect the nets. Accompanying the DMO on a tour through distribution centres in Ntam, Mambanda, Teke and Fiango, it was pathetic to note that although bed net recipients were advised to air the nets under shades before making use of them, many chose to dry them under the direct glare of the sunlight, thereby reducing the potency of the applied anti-mosquito chemicals. The free mass bed net distribution is a joint effort of the Cameroon government and the World Health Organisation to eradicate malaria. After the last bed net distribution several years ago, it was revealed that several people used the nets to stake out their farms or as fishing nets. Therefore, Cameroonians would have to make good use of the tents and keep their surroundings clean to put the finishing touches to the concerted efforts of the government and its partners. The next bed net distribution would probably take place in 5 years.