:: Chitetezo Nets and M'bwezera Chitetezo Re-treatment Kits

Chitetezo means 'protection' and M'bwezera Chitetezo means 'restore protection' in Chichewa.

Product Description

Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), which repel and kill Anopheles mosquitoes (the carrier of the malarial parasite), currently offer the best opportunity for malaria control. PSI/Malawi sells two versions of the Chitetezo net. A heavily subsidised green rectangular net is distributed to the primary target (pregnant women and caregivers with children under five) through antenatal health clinics; other rural inhabitants are sold the same net through community-based initiatives; while urban inhabitants are sold blue conical nets exclusively through commercial outlets at a market price. A commercial blue net retails for MK395 (US$3.65), while the primary green net retails for MK50 (US$0.46) in antenatal clinics and MK100 (US$0.92) through the community initiatives.

ITNs owe their effectiveness more to the insecticide component than to the net itself - treated nets are more than twice as effective untreated ones. Retreatment is accomplished by simply soaking the nets in a solution of a pyrethroid insecticide (deltamethrin) mixed with water. Each M'bwezera Chitetezo kit includes a retreatment tablet accompanied by pictorial directions, a water-measuring sachet and disposable gloves. Treatment remains effective for about a year. A retreatment kit retails for MK30 (US$0.28).

Primary Target

Pregnant women and caregivers with children under five, particularly in rural areas where there is the greatest risk of malaria infection.

History

• Launched in 1998, the Chitetezo delivery model has been the most cost-effective large-scale ITN program in Africa - costing less than 2.5 dollars of public funding per net delivered.
• In November 2002, PSI/Malawi launched its nationwide distribution of heavily subsidised nets through antenatal clinics. 125,000 nets were distributed nationwide during that month alone.
• Sales for 2003 were over 1.6 million nets.

Future

• At the present rate of sales, the Roll Back Malaria target of covering 60% of pregnant women and children under 5 with an ITN by the year 2005 will be achieved in Malawi .
• In order to combat the problem of low re-treatment rates, manufacturers are currently designing mosquito nets that contain insecticide treatment that can last for the life of the net. There is a range of candidate products that is currently undergoing field-testing. PSI/Malawi look forward to being able to introduce these nets once they have been adequately tested for safety and efficacy.