Malaria and DDT in Uganda

Citation:

Alidina, S., Paulus, J. & Kane, N.M., 2009. Malaria and DDT in Uganda, Harvard Business Publishing: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health case collection.

Abstract:

In October 2008, Dr. Richard Mgaga, Head of the Malaria Control Programme in Uganda reviewed the monthly malaria statistics report for the district of Apac, which in April of 2008 had undergone a pilot indoor residual spraying (IRS) program using DDT in a campaign to prevent mosquitoes from biting and spreading malaria. The campaign was halted by a court injunction requested by organic farmers, exporters and environmentalists in May 2008, and the injunction was upheld by the High Court in June. In early August, the Uganda Health Ministry began spraying a pyrethroid insecticide in place of DDT. Meanwhile the Ugandan Attorney General was challenging the High Court’s decision.  Dr. Mugaga was under pressure by the Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI) to undertake a full program of IRS in 300,000 households in the northern districts of Uganda, including Apac. However, he was unsure whether to proceed, given the opposition and apparent problems that surfaced when the Apac pilot was implemented.

Notes:

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Teaching note: Available
Teaching note authors: Kane, Nancy M.; Michels, Karin
Last updated on 04/04/2019