Lift of Ban on DDT Hailed

Published on 19th September 2006

Hundreds of Ugandans took to the streets of Kampala to praise the World Health Organization (WHO) and the new leader of its malaria program, Dr. Arata Kochi, for publicly authorizing the use of DDT for malaria control.

 

After decades of failure and increasing disease that led to millions of deaths, things are finally changing. Ever since a Malaria Expert Committee meeting in 1998, the WHO position has been that for some time to come there will continue to be a role for DDT in combating malaria. However, many officials still did not publicly support the chemical’s use in controlling this killer disease.

 

On September 15, in Washington DC, Dr. Kochi issued revised guidelines that underscore the major role that DDT and other insecticides will again play in preventing malaria. Indoor spraying and ACT drugs are vital to any cohesive, comprehensive, effective program, he emphasized.Euphoric Ugandans, many of whom have lost loved ones to this dreaded disease, see this policy as an opportunity for Uganda to look forward to the eventual eradication of malaria. 

 

Uganda suffers 100,000 deaths annually, notes Minister of Health Dr. Stephen Malinga, the equivalent of a jetliner with 275 people slamming into the Ruwenzori Mountains every day. 

EU President José Manuel Barroso allayed the fears of the Ugandan business community, with regard to threatened trade bans, in his response to a letter from physician and US Senator Tom Coburn. “The European Union fully supports the right and responsibility of countries to use DDT and other appropriate malaria control techniques, under Stockholm Convention and WHO guidelines,” he declared.  Only produce contaminated with DDT above accepted residue levels would be affected.  Of course, such contamination is highly unlikely under limited modern indoor residual spraying (IRS).

 

Carlos Odora, Africa Fighting Malaria (AFM), Kampala Fellow, emphasized that Uganda will implement indoor residual spraying with conscious responsibility and caution. He asked the consumers in Europe to trust that Uganda will ensure that no produce or products will enter Europe contaminated by DDT and to support the use of this life-saving insecticide-repellant, and all other malaria control measures.

 

The marchers  passed by the offices of WHO  in Kampala, the European Union, the American Embassy, NEMA, and the Ministry of Health, delivering letters of gratitude.


 “CORE-Uganda and Africa Fighting Malaria will continue to lobby and educate the EU and European consumers, to ensure that products are not banned, and its business and economic interests are not harmed, because the country seeks to protect the lives of its children,” says Fiona Kobusingye, CORE Uganda Chairperson.

 

IREN Team in Switzerland

 

IRENs regional team is on a four day tour to Switzerland to familiarize itself with farming issues and discuss matters of mutual interest with Syngenta Foundation..

 

Woman Lands to Post in UN

 

Dr Anna Tibaijuka has been appointed as Director General of the United Nations office in Nairobi. Dr Tibaijuka, highest ranking African woman in the United Nations system, has been the Executive Director of the Nairobi-based Human Settlement Programme (UN-habitat) since September 2000.

 

Regional Trade Referee Appointed

 

A council to act as a referee in the trade of cereals in the East African Region has been formed. The East African Grain Council (EAGC) will set up rules to govern wheat and maize cross border trade. According to Kenya’s Cereal Growers Association (CGA) the council will be inaugurated in Nairobi on the September 28 2006.

 

Bourses Target Foreign Investors

 

African stock exchanges will team up to lure more foreign investors and compete with the world’s established bourses. Members of the African Stock Exchange Association (ASEA) plan to come up with standards for listings and regulation, enhance corporate governance, and use technology to showcase shares across the continent. The association hopes to work together to sell Africa as a single investment prospect.

 

Another Medal for Mandela

 

Nelson Mandela receives Amnesty International's "Ambassador of Conscience" award, the highest honour given by the global human rights watchdog, on November 1, 2006. Amnesty said it was bestowing the award on Mandela in recognition of his fearless championing of freedom and justice around the world, as well as his advocacy of the rights of millions of people with HIV/AIDS in Africa and beyond. 

Media to Re-brand Africa

Africa's International Media Summit organized by African Communications Agency (ACA) in collaboration with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened in Accra, Ghana.  The theme of the conference is "Re-Branding of Africa" project and seeks to re-open and reawaken the excellent opportunities and possibilities of the new and emerging Africa. African journalists have been urged to project the continent's positive image.

Africa Discusses Health

A five-day symposium on health will take place in Maputo, Mozambique starting Monday 18 to Friday 22 September 2006. The theme for the Conference is ‘Universal Access to Comprehensive Sexual and Health Services in Africa'  In attendance will be ministers of health, social affairs/youth/women from AU member states, AU Commission, representatives of the Regional Economic Communities and UN Agencies. Others include New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) experts, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

 

 


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