News
Articles for February 2005
Scientists Clash Over DDT Use  - Evelyn Lirri & Jane Nafula
The arguing over whether or not to use DDT in Uganda continues ... while thousands die from malaria. Anti-DDT campaigners should realise that their unscientific and biased opposition to DDT costs lives and blights the futures of thousands of young Ugandans.
Fact and Comment  - Steve Forbes
Steve Forbes weighs in on DDT and pulls no punches. Great stuff.
Experts Defend DDT Use  - Evelyn Lirri & Asha Ntabadde
At last some sense on DDT use in Uganda. If the government had been allowed to start using DDT a year ago, when they wanted to, thousands of lives would have been saved. Instead the country has had to deal with absurd and unscientific opposition to DDT - from among others the European Union.
Malaria is Gambia Leading Public Health Problem  - The Independent
Malaria is a leading health problem in The Gambia - they could control it if they used DDT though.
In Africa, a Plant's Twofold Promise  - Andrew England
Build a market and people will produce. The irony is that many of the aid agencies now so interested in artemisia, such as USAID, blocked the development of a market for so long.
WHO Warns of Malaria Drug Shortage  - Jason Beaubien
This National Public Radio audio story explores the World Health Organization's assertion that there will be a massive shortfall in a key malaria drug, artemisinin.
DDT could eradicate post-tsunami malaria  - Editorial
DDT could curb malaria around the world, if only world policy makers would let it be used.
EU Warns on DDT  - New Vision
Guy Rijcken, the EU Charge d'Affaires has warned Uganda not to use DDT. His claims that DDT will find its way into the food chain, thereby threatening exports, is false and malicious and will no doubt lead to further death and disease in that country. Why doesn't he just admit that he is using the DDT issue as a trade barrier to protect the cosseted EU farmers? This disgraceful behaviour must stop.
Zimbabwe hunger claims 'US plot'  - BBC
As usual the Zimbabwean government blames someone else for the misery, hunger and ill health it is inflicting on its own people. As more and more people are going hungry, it will become increasingly difficult to prevent deaths from preventable diseases, such as malaria.
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For some time now, I have been watching unconvincing explanations the politicians at the Ministry of Health are giving on why they are about to introduce the use of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Dichloromethans (DDT) for the prevention of malaria.

The will and intention to fight malaria is commendable but one wonders why Brig. Jim Muhwezi and his friends at MOH should of all options go for DDT in spite of all richly documented and well-known disastrous effects of DDT available for everybody to read.

There is definitely more than meets the eye on this DDT. Unfortunately, Ugandans are not always privy to information about things that do or are bound to affect them and the biggest percentage of the population simply doesn't mind to find out. Its more unfortunate that politicians whom the duty to make prudent and safer decisions for this largely illiterate population wont cease to flatter to deceive. In the end these politicians have always let down Ugandans simply because of selfish interests.

I am sure this sustained fight to introduce DDT in Uganda in nothing more than politics and business. It's a very big accident waiting to happen. Sadly this be at the expense of this beautiful country and save for Lubaga South MP, John Ken Lukyamuzi, the powers that be don't seem prepared to save at least our much cherished beauty.

For the record, Brig. Muhwezi says DDT will only be used for residual spraying on the walls inside the houses. This raises several questions.

Mosquitoes do not bleed from within inside houses; they are known to bleed from places such as stagnant water in the compounds, bushes, plantations and forests around houses. So by residual spraying inside the houses, on the walls, are we eradicating the cause or merely treating the symptom?

It is also a well-known fact that persistent and continuous use of DDT results into the mosquitoes becoming resistant to DDT. So when this resistance occurs, what next?

It is also a known fact that when use of DDT is stopped, there is resurgence of malaria. India, one of the major manufacturers of DDT, which used it for over ten years, had a double resurgence of mosquitoes and malaria when they stopped using it. Today, India lives to regret the decision.

I would also want to ask Hon. Brig. Muhwezi that id DDT is going to be used in Uganda; will this stop malaria and mosquitoes from our neighbours spreading back?

Yet DDT will also ruin our economy. Europe and other western markets which are the major destination for most of Uganda's agricultural products, has the most stringent market requirements. Our fish, our coffee, our everything will be at stake.

If any of our agricultural products was tested by the importing countries and found to be containing DDT residues, Uganda's exports would be suspended. The result would be catastrophic not only to the private sector but also to the government.

Importers might reject Ugandan exports because consumers in the western world demand natural and organic products as opposed to synthetic ones.

If the health ministry goes ahead to use DDT, its contents could spill over to agricultural fields, especially in the rural areas where farmers have no idea of what happens when product is mishandled.

It is known that large quantities of DDT have been produced both in India and China. Ironically the two countries don't use it.

It thus looks like these politicians at ministry of health who are pushing for the use of DDT in total disregard of its long-term effects are involved in a deal for Uganda to be used as a dumping ground for DDT! But are we going to use DDT until Uganda is no more?

This ministry of health is also known for experimental policies that end up failing to work like the introduction of use of a combination of chloroquine and fansidar (sulfadoxine+pyrimethamine), which failed totally, that we are now reverting to use of artemedin derivatives, which was always a very effective drug in the first place.

Needles to say, it is hard to trust these politicians at the ministry of health. Their record at National Medical Stores and National Drug Authority where they have either failed to supervise the institutions or have had alleged involvement in dubious deals, the purchase of rotten drugs from Nigbo, a rotten factory in China being a case in point.

I pray Ugandans should wake up and demand accountability and explanations over matters that affect them. Hon. Lukyamuzi can count me among the people behind him against DDT. How I wish Lukyamuzi was part of the running of government. I would give Museveni a third term vote if he got this gifted politician on board.

Mr Atuhaire is a Senior Correspondent, Monitor Political/Investigations Desk

The Monitor (Kampala)

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