Ukwangali Traditional Authority Hompa Eugene Siwombe has called on the community to cooperate with the Malaria Indoor Residual Spray team.

Siwombe was speaking at the launch of the campaign at Nkurenkuru.

The campaign, which will run until early December, aims to achieve 85% coverage.

Since January this year, the Kavango West Region has recorded 24,360 malaria cases, with three related deaths reported.

Hompa Siwombe urged the community to allow health officials access to their homes, reminding them that the campaign aims to protect vulnerable groups.

"I want the campaign to cover all the villages. Health officials must spray inside our homes, as this will be crucial in our fight against malaria. I am advocating for a zero malaria target. We cannot afford to have cases of child mortality due to our ignorance or failure to adhere to government initiatives. By next year, I do not want to hear of anyone suffering from malaria."

Kavango West Health Director Fransiska Hamutenya expressed concern over persistent misconceptions surrounding the spraying of chemicals.

"Malaria can be prevented and treated. To save lives, the government has introduced indoor residual spraying to reduce, if not eliminate, mosquitoes. The chemical used does not increase insect populations, contrary to some claims, nor does it cause harm in any significant way. We do not select just anyone to carry out the spraying; we employ trained personnel for this task."

The Ministry has also intensified community awareness programmes to educate residents on the causes and prevention of malaria.