Zoomlion helps in mosquito control efforts
The Vector Control Unit of Zoomlion in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, in collaboration with the municipal and district environmental health officers in the region, have intensified activities in the control of mosquito breeds.
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The measure is aimed at drastically reducing the mosquito vector which is the cause of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and elephantiasis, among other mosquito-related diseases.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion, Mr Ernest Brenya, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Sunyani, indicated that, a 20-man team had been deployed in the various municipalities and districts in the region to undertake the exercise, which formed part of the National Mosquito Control Programme (NMCP).
He indicated that the activities of the team included larvaeciding (attacking with chemicals, the mosquito insect at the stage when it has just come out of an egg) at swampy and waterlogged environments, desilting and night spraying of choked gutters and drains against the adult vector, which could be a nuisance during sleep as well as weeding of surroundings.
Mr Brenya explained that apart from the physical activities being undertaken by the groups, the unit had also stepped up its environmental education and sensitisation campaign in the communities on the need to keep their surroundings clean.
He added that awareness creation and sensitisation, were also being carried out in schools, churches, mosques and market places.
The vector control officer urged the people to complement the activities of the unit by periodically clearing the accumulated debris in their gutters to allow free flow of water, trim their overgrown lawns, hedges and ensure that water receptacles were not left open, especially cans and old tyres.
He maintained that ensuring a clean environment would make the people very healthy, go about their business engagements normally, thereby increasing productivity and maximising their income levels, describing the mosquito as a very dangerous insect which ought to be avoided as much as possible.
Mr Brenya urged the people in the communities to co-operate and offer the necessary support and assistance to the control teams, and commended the environmental officers for their continuous collaboration to ensure a mosquito-free society and a healthy region.
By Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah/Daily Graphic/Ghana