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RUMBEK, Sudan, June 8, 2005 The need for insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) could not have been more clearly demonstrated the day that PSI/Sudan launched two types of ITNs. The ITNs, which will enable families to protect themselves from malaria affordably and effectively, were met by eager crowds clamoring to purchase the products. In 2005, PSI expects to distribute 182,000 long-lasting ITNs, which would prevent an estimated 420,000 episodes of malaria and prevent the deaths of nearly 2,500 children. Crowds of excited people had begun to line up for Serena and Serena Dumuria ITNs even before vendors had set up their market kiosks on the launch day, which coincided with Africa Malaria Day on April 25. The demand proved to be so high that the vendors were forced to retreat to a government building where they could sell the ITNs in a more controlled environment. Both ITN brands are being sold at a heavily subsidized price in order to bridge the gap in accessibility to treated mosquito nets. The project is funded by the British Department for International Development (DFID). Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity among women and children in southern Sudan. About 30% of hospital admissions and almost 20% of hospital deaths are due to malaria. Prevention activities are limited even though malaria is recognized as a serious problem. Only 24-36% of children under five sleep under any kind of net, and only 2-13% are sleeping under a treated net. PSI/Sudan, in collaboration with the Southern Sudan Secretariat of Health, launched the two nets as hundreds of people gathered in Freedom Square for the launch, which included football matches and folklore groups. "If we are to defeat malaria, then we must make EVERY day Africa Malaria Day. Every person must do his or her part to campaign for the end of malaria," said PSI/Sudan's Malaria Advisor Irene Abdou at the launch event. PSI/Sudan and the Secretariat of Health have called on individuals,
communities, church leaders, local NGOs, the private sector, the government
of New Sudan and the international community to increase awareness of
malaria and educate each other on malaria prevention.
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