Mortein Doom launches social media campaign to help fight malaria

Reckitt Benckiser (RB), manufacturer of the popular household insecticide Mortein Doom, held a media breakfast meeting on 20th April 2015 at Hotel Intercontinental, a few days ahead of World Malaria Day which is held on 25th of April, to provide a platform for the government to provide the public with an update on the fight against malaria in the country. So far, statistics indicate that the reported cases have been halved, owing to the public’s adoption of preventive measures, especially use of mosquito nets.

Reckitt Benckiser took this opportunity to launch a social media campaign using the hash tag #WipeOutMalaria to raise awareness on malaria prevention through online conversations. This will go on for two consecutive weeks and for the third week ladies will share pictures of their baby bump. The one with the most retweets will win a Mortein hamper.

“The company is focused on healthier lives for people, we believe that it is part of our mandate to be actively involved in promoting the achievement of health related goals in Kenya. Our strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Health and implementation of initiatives around the World Malaria Day, is a clear demonstration of our commitment”. Said Sachin Varma, Reckitt Benckiser’s Country Manager in Kenya.

He continued to say that, Malaria can be eliminated in Kenya, which is the reason why RB, through the flagship brand, Mortein Doom, has for the 3rd year running, partnered with the Ministry of Health, to spread the message that malaria is preventable.

Also on the meeting Reckitt Benckiser was mentioned as a proud supporter of the Ministry of Health’s initiatives to eliminate malaria in the country, through the years. Although malaria-related deaths in Africa have fallen by an estimated 58 percent since the year 2000, the fight against Malaria is still going on.

Expectant mothers and children under the age of five remained the most vulnerable group. It is important to educate and empower women who are the pillars of the home to fight malaria by taking necessary measures so that one day Africa will be malaria free. There is a need to raise awareness and communicate more to encourage all mothers to take preventive measures against Malaria like sleeping under treated mosquito nets, using Mortein Doom to kill mosquitoes in the house and draining off stagnant water which acts as a breeding site for mosquito larvae. This way, African countries will be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals on Malaria.

As the campaign goes on everyone, especially mothers to be and women who already have kids, should participate in this noble cause to reduce infant mortality rate and young mothers’ death in the future. Malaria is preventable as long as we take the necessary measures, let’s all join in the fight against Malaria.

Pamoja Tuendelee Kuangamiza Malaria!