Alhagie Saikou Jammeh, the permanent secretary, Department of State for Health and Social Welfare on behalf of the secretary of state, last Monday launched the Indoor Residual Spraying exercise in Janjangbureh, Central River Region South.

In his launching statement, Alhagie Saikou Jammeh said the residual insecticide, if applied correctly on the surfaces where malaria vectors rest, will kill all parasites and that the chemical can last for six months on a wall. According to him, the exercise is in line with President Jammeh's malaria eradication initiative.

He noted that in The Gambia, malaria is the leading cause of mobidity and motality especially among children under five years and pregnant women. He added that it is also the main cause of school absenteeism resulting in poor productivity. He said programs such as the President's Malaria Eradication Initiative and the Global Fund Against Malaria and Tubaculosis and many other national malaria control programs, are all geared towards reducing the numbers of people becoming sick or dying of malaria. PS Jammeh further commended the people of the region for their commitment towards the crusade.

Malang Fofana, the program manager, National Malaria Control Program, said malaria has no borders and it is a major public health concern. He said every second, a child dies due to malaria. He commended the Gambia government for its political commitment in the fight against malaria in the country and called on the community to participate effectively in the fight against the disease.

The regional health director, Momodou Lamin Manneh said fighting against malaria should be a joint collaboration. He thanked President Jammeh for the good initiative in eradicating malaria in The Gambia. The national green youths coordinator, Majanko Sanneh, called on the green youths to put the nation first before anything else. He spoke at length of the strong confidence President Jammeh has in them.

The regional governor, Alhagie Ganyie Touray, who chaired the ceremony, called on the people of CRR to cooperate fully during the exercise. Other speakers included Alhagie Omar Mambureh, regional green youth coordinator, Hon Sainey Mbye, NAM for Upper Saloum and Chief Bakary Jam Jawo and Chief Momodou Lamin Baldeh of Janjangbureh and Lower Fulladou West respectively.