EDITORIAL: Locally produced nets will boost malaria fight efforts

The government is in the process of contracting final stages of procuring a firm to start making treated mosquito nets locally. According to the Trade and Industry ministry, six companies, including some from Rwanda, have expressed interest in setting up a plant to produce medicated mosquito bed nets. The move is a step in the right direction as government grapples with malaria following a spike in cases across the country over the last one year. The initiative is expected to save the country billions of francs in imported nets, and will reduce the cost of treated mosquito nets to ensure affordability. Therefore, building a factory to produce treated mosquito nets locally is a sustainable approach in the fight against malaria. Besides, it will create jobs and increase local expertise in the area. Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity, which affects the economy as people spend time managing the disease instead of engaging in productive activities. However, due diligence should be taken when choosing the firm to guarantee quality and value for money. For this venture to benefit Rwandans, a firm with a track record of making quality bed nets should be considered. About 2.6 million substandard mosquito nets, worth Rwf9 billion, were imported into the country last year, a situation blamed for the rise in malaria cases, that increased to 1,957,402 in December last year, up from 514,173 cases in 2012. The fact that fake bed nets found their way on the Rwandan market means that there are fake manufacturers out there. To avoid falling prey to fraudsters again, concerned authorities should ensure that there is no room to compromise quality when picking the firm to build the treated mosquito net-making plant. Most importantly, the initiative is in line with the Made-in-Rwanda campaign aimed at encouraging Rwandans to consume locally made products.

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EDITORIAL: Locally produced nets will boost malaria fight efforts