Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

Apart from malaria prevention programmes the majority of our work has been done in the Kazungula and Livingstone Districts in the Southern Province of Zambia. This year for the first time we are working in Kalomo and Mulobezi Districts, the latter is in the Western Province of Zambia. This area has a high prevalence of malaria and last year recorded one of the highest numbers of malaria cases in the nation. Thanks to receiving a substantial grant we are about to distribute almost 3,800 mosquito nets to school children and teachers with the aim of reducing new cases of malaria. This is the first phase of a vital three-year grant programme.

While I was visiting Simonga Rural Health Centre, where we donated equipment as well as recently completing a facility for under-five clinics, family planning and HIV testing, I saw three children recovering from malaria. After identifying where the children lived the next day, we visited their community and donated mosquito nets to all the children and teachers at their pre-school and primary. This will help to prevent further transmission.

Malaria remains one of the biggest killers of man. Because priority is given to under-fives and pregnant women, school children are left unpretected. Therefore we provide mosquito nets for school going children and their teachers. Each pupil takes ownership of a net and the Ministry of Health will monitor the effectiveness and send a report to us at the end of the year. 

Until the malaria vaccinations are widely available prevention is vital. A mosquito nets costs just £4.50 ($6) and could save a child’s life.

According to the World Health Organisation:

• Globally in 2023, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597 000 malaria deaths in 83 countries.
• The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.
• In 2023, the WHO African Region was home to 94% of malaria cases (246 million) and 95% (569 000) of malaria deaths.
• Children under 5 accounted for about 76% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

To avoid contracting malaria you must avoid by a mosquito bites. However, when you live in a poor community where the income is below $2 per day most people cannot afford to buy a mosquito net nor use other preventative methods. Sleeping under a mosquito net, remains as one of the top recommendations by the World Health Organisation to prevent malaria.

After a prolonged drought Zambia is now in the rainy season, which should continue until April. This is the time when malaria is most prevalent, and cases increase. Our ‘mosquito nets for schools’ programme continues to be effective and is helping to protect school children in remote areas of the Kazungula District.

In 2025 our aim is reach out to more areas where malaria is most prevalent and deemed to be ‘malaria hot spots’ by the Ministry of Health in Zambia.

Thank you to everyne who has donated to this vitial programme. We are appealing for more support - a mosquito nets costs only $10 and could save a child’s life!

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Malaria Prevention Programme