Addis Ababa, August. 21(ENA)--The Ministry of Health says it has procured various anti-malaria chemicals and drugs at a cost of over 30.9 million Birr with a view to preventing the possible outbreak of malaria in different parts of the country next Ethiopian year.

Malaria and other vector-born diseases prevention and control team acting head, Gezahegn Tesfaye told ENA that the purchase included the procurement of anti-mosquito and laboratory chemicals, canopies and various anti-malaria medicines.

The fund for the purchase of the items was obtained from the government, World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, Gezahegn said.

He said four million Birr has also been given out to national states for malaria prevention and control activities.

Gezahegn said 360 tons of DDT and about 800,000 mosquito-nets have been distributed to all regional states. "Some 100 tons of malataine would be supplied to the regions soon," he added.

Based on the current climatic conditions it is estimated that malaria would surface in some parts of the country next year, the acting head indicated.

DDT was sprayed in malaria-prone areas of the nation last June and July, he said, adding that malataine chemical would be sprayed in such localities starting from late August to early September.

Gezahegn further noted that the malaria outbreak that recently occurred in South Gondar and West Gojjam Zones of the Amhara State has been put under control.

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