By Politico Staff Writer
Eight Njala laboratory personnel are currently receiving training in molecular entomological techniques for malaria vector control.
The training which commenced on the 28th November 2022 will end tomorrow 8th December 2022. It is expected to equip technicians with knowledge on molecular entomological techniques to support mosquito surveillance.
Njala University and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation through the National Malaria Control Programme last Friday activated at Njala Campus, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the national malaria control programme in entomological surveillance activities intended to guide its interventions.
According to the MOU, the laboratory personnel are to receive training in molecular entomological techniques for malaria vector control. Six of the trainees are university staff, while the other two are from the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI)/USAID-funded Vectorlink project.
Programme Manager for the National Malaria Control Programme at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Dr. Denis H. Marke said the Plasmodium falciparum is amongst the parasitic variants that cause malaria, noting that it is responsible for over 90% of all malaria cases in the country.
He explained that every resident in the country is susceptible to malaria. Marke highlighted statistics , stating that the disease is responsible for 40.3% of outpatient morbidity for patients of all ages and 47% of outpatient for under-five children.
He stated that the disease also accounts for 37.6% of hospitalized cases with a case fatality rate of 17.6 percent.
Marke mentioned institutions that have worked with the MoHS to help reduce the prevalence of malaria in the country by 18 percent, from 40 percent in 2016 to 22 percent in 2021 . Amongst them are the Global Fund, PMI, (Vector Link, Impact Malaria, Chemonics, Measure Malaria, Breakthrough Action), Njala University, and several local organisations.
Vectorlink, Sierra Leone’s Laurent Iyikirenga said the goal of the MOU is to equip technicians with skills and knowledge in molecular biology techniques used to obtain entomological data on mosquito samples.
Iyikirenga guaranteed their institution’s continued support and assured the trainees that the exercise will increase their knowledge and help them develop the abilities needed to produce entomological data.
He said the training is in important and in line with nations’ commitment to eradicate malaria by 2030, stressing the training’s relevance to Sierra Leone due to the prevalence of the disease which is the main source of morbidity.
Speaking on behalf of MoHS the Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Dr. Mathew J. Vandy stated that PMI and the Government of Sierra Leone collaborated to establish projects like Vectorlink for vector control, Impact Malaria for case management, and Chemonics for the procurement and supply of antimalarial commodities, among others.
He commended PMI for its effort and achievement in vector control and entomology, Vandy assured and the university that he will ensure that they meet with the relevant stakeholders to provide an ambulance for the university’s hospital.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma lauded the collaboration, describing it as a landmark development.
The event was climaxed with a demonstration by the trainees using molecular tools to demonstrate the techniques they’ve been taught.
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