CONTRARY to earlier report that a new malaria strategy being adopted by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Integrated Test, Treat and Larval source reduction (ITIL), was planned to replace the use of Long lasting Insecticidal Nets (LUNs), the project is to compliment the latter. National Coordinator NMEP,Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, in an email to The Guardian wrote: "Further to my discussion with you on the Honourable Minister of Health's remarks at the National Catholic Health Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, I wish to request you to correct the erroneous impression created by the report of the said remark in your newspaper of Wednesday October 23,2013. 

"The report, while referring to the project that integrates testing to confirm malaria cases, treatment for positive cases with Arternisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and larval source reduction, which would be undertaken by the 3-tiers of government, gave the impression that this laudable project would replace the use of LUNs. 

"On the contrary, the project known as ITTL is planned to complement the use of LUNs. 

"Currently, the use of LUNs in Nigeria is receiving appreciable support from the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, and the Government of Nigeria by undertaking the ITTL, project would bring in the dirnension of larval source reduction which will enhance the current fight against malaria. 

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), optimal impact is only guaranteed when several proven strategies are applied together and the Honourable Minister has always advocated for deployment of multiple strategies. The various strategies work .synergtsncally to give the best result and the Government of Nigeria is set to deploy all the strategies within our reach to fight malaria and defend the people. 

"Meanwhile the Honourable Minister has asked Nigerians to insist on sleeping inside LUNs and take other measures to protect themselves from the bite of mosquitoes."