By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, October 15, Mana: Zomba District Health Office is set to distribute over 500,000 mosquito nets to rural communities and other vulnerable populations from next month as a measure to control malaria.

District Malaria Coordinator at Zomba District Health Office, Said Ndau disclosed this week during the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting that the net distribution will commence next month (November).

“The distribution will priorities those living in rural areas who cannot afford to buy mosquito nets, boarding schools and orphanages,” he said, adding that small families will get two nets while large families will get four.

Ndau added that urban residents will not be provided with the nets considering that they have financial means to purchase nets.

He said his office will continue sensitizing rural communities proper use of the nets and will discourage them to use the nets for unintended purposes.

“Let the community change the tendency of using these free nets for fishing and for them to fence vegetable gardens,” Ndau added.

From January to October, 2024, Zomba district recorded over 350,000 cases of Malaria.