ARUSHA, Tanzania, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania on Tuesday launched a countrywide program for distribution of Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) in an effort to eliminate malaria in the east African nation.
Speaking in western Tanzania's region of Kigoma, at the official launch of the program, Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ummy Mwalimu said that the country is on the verge of eliminating malaria, adding that distributing such nets will help the fight against malaria.
She further said: "Through the program we are launching today, the malaria-vulnerable population of pregnant women and children under one year old will receive a net."
The minister said that for the last three years, Tanzania has taken a very big step in fight against malaria as malaria new infections has gone down by over 10 percent.
The launch of the distribution of LLINs is among various activities held in the country to commemorate the upcoming World Malaria Day on April 25.
