Balaka district commissioner Tamanya Harawa has told Zodiak at the end of a five-day training for IRS team on Friday, that all is set to ensure that the exercise meet the intended purpose.

"We want to beat last year's target of 85% of residential spots being sprayed so as to have a Malaria free Balaka," said Harawa.

He urged the spray operators to be vigilant in ensuring that each targeted residential structure is sprayed under the IRS project, which World vision International (WVI) is implementing with support from Global fund.

Thokozani Kaumphawi, WVI IRS site manager for Mpulura area in Balaka says the teams are set to start the 36 day exercise commencing October 9th, 2023.

Kaumphawi said:- "We had an intensive five day training to ensure effectiveness when executing the task, and we are satisfied that it is possible to meet the 99.9% target set."

Balaka district chief preventive health officer Blessings Chitsime told Zodiak Online that Malaria incidence rate has dropped by half over the past four years, attributing the success to IRS.

IRS project is designed to end epidemics including malaria.

Apart from Balaka, World Vision International is also implementing IRS project in Mangochi, Nkhotakota and Nkhatabay districts.