Sumitomo Chemical is collaborating with Tanzania’s National Institute for Medical Research in a major field trial to determine the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide treated netting against invading and disease-carrying insects when placed in doors, windows, and the eaves of homes. The start of these trials, which are being conducted in villages in Tanzania’s Handeni District, was marked by an official reception on May 7, 2009 at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Dar es Salaam.
Sumitomo Chemical is providing significant funding to support these trials and is also donating – through its net manufacturing partnership with Arusha-based A to Z Textile Mills – large quantities of its award-winning Olyset® Net and fabrics for the pilot study. The netting will be installed in homes in the Handeni district with the objective of monitoring the impact on vector borne diseases, especially malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, when used in combination with the WHO-recommended Olyset Net. In addition, samples of netting will be taken at regular intervals to check on any changes in the physical properties and insecticide content of nets.
Following a welcome and introduction by the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Mr. Ray Nishimoto, Executive Officer of Sumitomo Chemical’s Agricultural Chemicals Sector, said:
“We are delighted and honoured that the well-renowned National Medical Research Institute here in Dar es Salaam have been able to collaborate with Sumitomo Chemical and A to Z on this project.
We see this as the beginning of a long term partnership, not only for the evaluation of insecticide-treated window, door, and eave netting, but also in the future for the evaluation of other innovative vector control products currently in development as part of our long term commitment to help reduce the suffering caused by insect disease vectors.
The knowledge gained in these trials will enable us to provide additional solutions for controlling insects in Africa. We look forward to their successful conclusion and thank the National Medical Research Institute for agreeing to support this enterprise. We wish them well in their endeavours.”