The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Monday received 15,000 insecticide-treated bed nets as part of a ramped up Ministry of Health fight against malaria.
In the last few weeks a total of 37,000 treated nets have been handed over to various agencies by the ministry, according to the Government Information Agency. This is part of the ministry’s goal to distribute 50,000 nets this year to aid in the reduction of malaria and other vector-borne illnesses such as dengue. The project is being supported by the Global Fund and other entities. It costs about US$50 to purchase, store and distribute each net, a release from GINA said.
On Monday, the Ministry handed over a total of 27,100 nets to the (GGDMA) -15,000, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) – 5,000, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) – 5,000 and the Forest Products Association (FPA) – 2,000 and the Ministry of Public Works – 100.
The number of nets handed to the miners is a reflection of the seriousness of the disease in the mining areas. Miners travelling frequently in various stages of infection present a serious challenge to controlling malaria.
During last week, the Vector Control Services Department, which has oversight for the diagnosis and treatment
