Feasibility/compliance trials for off-grid active spatial mosquito repellent/insecticide system recharged by low-cost solar home system

Nearly half the world’s population lives in areas at risk of Malaria transmission in 87 countries and territories. Malaria remains the biggest killer in Africa, especially for under 5’s. Pregnant mothers are 3 x more susceptible to Malaria. Low level infections create morbidity with major loss of working days; lower productivity; significantly reducing GDP growth. Poor families may be tipped back into extreme poverty if the bread-winner have long absences from work. In many countries, the fight against Malaria went backwards during Covid as result of disruption to healthcare, inability to travel to get medicines, lesser spraying etc. Prevention opportunities in rural districts are limited by the absence of rural electricity. The grid reaches less than 20% of rural customers in many countries and solar solutions cannot be afforded by all. Rural families must rely on only passive treatments such as insecticide treated bed-nets. But these provide no protection between dusk and bed-time when mosquitoes are particularly active. Low power-demand will allow it to be used in any solar home systems or even with solar lanterns. Low cost make it affordable to poor families by major donors, charities and Health authorities to get universal coverage. The feasibility of designing a very low-cost minimal Solar system to provide the energy necessities (clean bright light, cell phone charging and recharging the mosquito repellent/insecticide) will be investigated in collaborations with partners; NGO’s and potential end-user groups. It is essential that we investigate the feasibility of setting up low-cost widely available distribution network for the refills and that these are provided at low cost (preferably without subsidy except for those in extremis to free up healthcare budgets to tackle other key health targets, including any on-going health issues from Covid).

Project details

Vector Control

Jan 2022 — Mar 2022

$27,849

United Kingdom