26/09/2026
OPEN PARLOR:
Senior Health Promotion Officer Speaks on Deployment of over 100, 000 Spatial Emanators
With Jonathan Abass Kamara
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Sierra Leone, but the country is actively scaling up new prevention tools and strategies under the National Malaria Control Programme.
The Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Control Programme and its partners, according to our Chief Guest in the parlor Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, is set to deploy over One Hundred Thousand Spatial Emanators in selected communities in Bonthe and Tonkolili districts as part of efforts to strengthen household protection against malaria.
Presenting his report on the screen to guests in the parlor, Ibrahim Sorie Koroma said the deployment scheduled for October 6 to 20, 2026, will cover Sittia and Dema chiefdoms and Bonthe Municipality in Bonthe district as well as Yoni Mabanta and Poli chiefdoms in the Tonkolili district
Underscoring the importance of the event which is supported by the United States Government, the initiative he said, represents another major step in Sierra Leone's fight against malaria by taking preventive technology directly to households, including families living far from health facilities
Ibrahim Sorie Koroma furthered that Spatial Emanators are malaria prevention devices designed to slowly release insecticide into the surrounding environment, adding that the insecticide kills or weakens mosquitoes and reduces their ability to settle and bite people, thereby lowering the risk of malaria transmission.
"Trained Community Health Workers and other authorized personnel will move from house to house during the deployment period to install the devices in eligible households".
"Beyond installation, the health workers will explain what the devices are, how they function, where they should be placed, and how they complement other malaria prevention measures".
"Community education and acceptance will be essential to the success of the intervention", opined Ibrahim Sorie Koroma.
An elderly woman, a senior citizen in the parlor, asked whether the Spatial Emanators are meant to replace insecticide -treated mosquito nets? Responding, Mr Koroma said the Ministry of Health has emphasized that Spatial Emanators are not intended to replace insecticide -treated mosquito nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, Preventive medicines, malaria vaccination or other interventions. "Instead, the devices will provide an additional layer of protection for families, particularly children under five, pregnant women and residents of communities with limited access to health services".
Malaria, the Senior Health Promotion Officer said, remains one of Sierra Leone's most serious public health challenges, pointing out that according to the WHO 2025 Malaria Country Profile, more than eight million people were living in high transmission areas in 2024. During that year, he added Sierra Leone recorded approximately two million presumed and confirmed malaria cases, including about 1.9 million confirmed cases, and nearly 2, 500 reported deaths
The WHO estimates, he furthered placed the country's malaria burden even higher, at approximately 2.4 million cases and 6, 600 deaths.
"Despite the continuing threat, the country has recorded encouraging progress". That reported malaria cases declined by approximately 14 per cent in 2024 to about 2, 023,764 cases, while the annual malaria parasite incidence stood at approximately 213 cases per 1, 000 people.
The figures Mr Koroma told guests in the parlor, indicate that Sierra Leone is moving in the right direction although sustained action will be required to significantly reduce infections and deaths.
"For decades, the country's malaria response has relied on a coordination of interventions, including the distribution of insecticide -treated mosquito nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, and preventive treatment using Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine for pregnant women, preventive treatment for infants has also been introduced", Koroma told guests.
Elaborating on systems strengthening, the country he explained, has simultaneously strengthened malaria testing, treatment, community based health care services and public awareness programmes aimed at encouraging people to adopt effective preventive practices.
"Sierra Leone introduced the malaria vaccine vaccine for young children in 2024, adding another important tool to its national malaria prevention package". The introduction of Spatial Emanators will further broaden the range of measures available to protect vulnerable families.
"Residents in the targeted communities will continue to be encouraged to sleep under insecticide -treated mosquito nets every night and follow all other recommended malaria prevention measures"
According to WHO, evidence shows that Spatial Emanators account for 33 per cent reduction of malaria infections beyond insecticide -treated nets use
RENEWED MESSAGE OF HOPE
The only female clergy in the parlor asked whether there's renewed hope for the two districts, Mr Koroma replied: "For households in Bonthe and Tonkolili, the distribution of more than 100, 000 Spatial Emanators represents an important public health milestone and a renewed message of hope".
"Although technology alone cannot eliminate malaria, the combination of strong Government leadership, committed health care workers, supportive health development partners and well-informed communities can accelerate progress".
He reiterated that every mosquito bite prevented matters, every child and pregnant woman protected matters, and every household reached, takes Sierra Leone another step closer to a future where malaria is no longer a routine threat to families.
GALLOPS
The story gallops in the parlor with a thunderous applause and a standing ovation for the leadership of the Health Ministry and partners, reciting in unison: "Every mosquito bite prevented matters, every child and pregnant woman protected matters, and every household reached takes Sierra Leone another step closer to a future where malaria is no longer a routine threat to families.
