Tolbert Nyeswah, Deputy Manager of the National Malaria Control Program told reporters Sunday the big reduction in the number of deaths from the disease was due largely to the national strategic plan launched in 2003 to fight malaria in Liberia.
Nyeswah said hospital records from both rural and urban areas now show that there is a reduction in the rate of deaths caused by malaria.
He said the Health Ministry plan, which provides for multiple prevention techniques, including the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets for pregnant women and children.
 
The health official said major efforts were underway in Liberia to discourage the use of Chloroquine, which is said to be ineffective as a frontline treatment for malaria.
He said partnership with international and local organizations and the new malaria treatment are major factors contributing to the reduction of deaths as a result of the disease in the post-war country.
With support from foreign governments such as Japan, China and the Global Fund to fight Malaria and TB, an increasing quantity of new anti-malaria combined drugs are being distributed throughout the country.
 
Also a major preventive anti-malaria campaign has been going on in the past two years to supply thousands of insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets to pregnant women and children.
He said another strategy being suggested is to wipe out the disease from Liberia through aerial spraying of insecticide DDT. 20 February 2007 - PANA.