Long-Lasting Net Makes Big Splash

ARUSHA, Tanzania, Jan. 28, 2005 — Global leaders gathered here in November for the launch of Magic Power, the Olyset long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito net (LLITN), a groundbreaking collaboration between the public and private sectors, including PSI. The Olyset net has insecticide embedded in the net's fibers which allows it to retain efficacy for up to five years without retreatment, providing more person years of protection than other LLITNs. Olyset was recently named by TIME magazine as one of the "coolest inventions of 2004."

PSI/Tanzania was instrumental in developing the brand name Nguvu Za Ajabu — Magic Power — and, together with PSI/Tanzania's Malaria is Not Acceptable campaign, the net will alleviate the burden of malaria and help achieve WHO's Roll Back Malaria goals. Olyset nets provide more person years of malaria protection than other long lasting nets distributed by PSI.

Numerous dignitaries attended the unveiling of the Olyset net, including the Tanzanian President Benjamin W. Mkapa; U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson; Roll Back Malaria Partnership Executive Secretary Awa Marie Coll-Seck; and Global Fund Executive Director Richard Feachem, as well as representatives of the Roll Back Malaria partners who had made the A to Z technology transfer possible.

PSI/Tanzania's new campaign Malaria Haikubaliki — Malaria is Not Acceptable — was launched alongside Magic Power. The movement counters complacent attitudes towards malaria and makes people recognize that malaria should be a rare occurrence. President Mkapa and British Secretary for Overseas Development Hilary Benn both wore "Malaria Haikubliki" badges to meetings.

Roll Back Malaria Executive Secretary Coll-Seck congratulated the PSI team for the product launch and later wrote: "Not only did the launch achieve a high political profile and considerable media coverage, but it also demonstrated partnership at its best; a diverse group of organizations from different fields bound together around a common goal - and making it work!"

PSI hopes the Malaria is Not Acceptable movement will spread from Tanzania across Africa to the many countries burdened by this killer disease.

— Dr. Jane E. Miller, PSI/Tanzania