Roy Innis on malaria (7)
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Dear Jeff,
I am sure if at all I was to take the more holistic approach you will find that at the end of the day the problem of malaria boils down to poverty: Poverty at the individual level and poverty at the national level. Then, I believe you will have more justified ground to dismiss my views as being based on ideological agenda.
Incidentally, I have no interests against the flower industry and I am rather ignorant as to the conditions the employees work under. What I object to is the covert threat to our agricultural based economy by the EU anytime the issue of DDT use in the control of malaria is discussed. Unfortunately, this is based on the unfounded fears and dooms day prophesies of a good many environmentalists. You have referred to the contribution of global warming to increased malaria, probably in reference to high land malaria? Kenya's Kisii highlands have highlighted the importance of vector control as the highland malaria epidemics initially linked to global warming were finally attributed to increased breeding sites that were unintended result of clay mining activities. The pits that the local miners left behind created a niche environment for the vector mosquitoes that led to the highland malaria phenomenon in western Kenya. As a resident of the central highlands, I can attest no such epidemics have occurred in central Kenya. My apologies for any offence taken by anyone associated with the flower/horticultural industry in Kenya or elsewhere. However, do not be used to hold a people ransom that is in urgent need of DDT's inclusion in the arsenal of malaria interventions. Educate your market on the issue, talk about IRS, talk about the costs/benefits associated with it.
Be informed!
With regards,
Karanja R.
mailto:RKaranja@kemri.org