DHL- The Gambia Office, Tuesday presented 150 cartons of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (LLINS) to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as part of their contribution towards the fight against Malaria in the country.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the Health Ministry’s Conference Hall in Banjul, the deputy permanent secretary Technical at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Makie Taal, acknowledged that DHL has a longstanding partnership with the Health Ministry. He also noted that DHL, through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) contributed to the organisation of the World Malaria Day celebration in cash and kind.

Dr. Taal said that Malaria control and prevention is high on the agenda of the Gambia government, adding that the donation of the LLINS will greatly assist the Ministry in the fight against Malaria.

Adam Jagne-Sonko, the programme manager of the NMCP, said the partnership between her institution and DHL started in 2011, and that since then DHL has been a real partner to the Malaria programme in the country. While acknowledging that Malaria still remains a public health problem in The Gambia, she however, noted that there has been a general decline in Malaria incidence over the past years.

Madam Jagne-Sonko further noted that DHL has been supporting the Malaria programme in the Integrated Vector Management area. She added that the private sector’s intervention in the fight against Malaria is a welcome development, while urging them to emulate DHL’s gesture.

Sumesh Rahavendra, DHL’s head of Marketing for Sub- Saharan Africa, handed over the LLINS to the Health Ministry officials for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.