Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION THERE WERE:

• 228 MILLION MALARIA CASES WORLDWIDE IN 2018
• 405,000 MALRIA DEATHS WORLDWIDE IN 2018

The rainy season in Zambia is underway, which provides much needed respite from the severe drought that has been affecting the Western, Southern and parts of the Eastern Provinces. Rivers and streams are filling up, providing a source of water for communities and animals. Unfortunately, this is also the start of the malaria season.

During the past few months The Butterfly Tree has continued to increase the support in schools so that children are protected from malaria. Our 'mosquito nets for schools' has expanded and the following schools have each received a full allocation. Mambova Junior Secondary and Chuunga and Kamwi Primary Schools. Each pupil and teacher take ownership of the net to prevent contracting malaria. Records are kept at the school and we monitor the programme to see if there has been any absenteeism from school as a result of malaria.

The previous three schools, River View, Sikaunzwe and Kawewa, that have recieived a donation have not reported any cases of malaria since receiving our support.

Last month, we provided advanced protection for an area called Singwamba in Nyawa Chiefdom. The region has one of the highest prevelances of malaria in the Kazungula District. A team of local people, supervised by The Butterfly Tree's volunteer Environmental Officer, applied safe insecticidal coating to 364 dwellings. This should provide protection for up to two years.

In addition every pond, stream and areas of stagnant water were treated with a safe larvicide, which prohibits the larva from developing into mosquitos. Both products are harmless to humans and dwellings.

The World Health Organisation states that 70% of the world's malaria cases are concentrated in just 11 countries, Zambia is not included in this list. This proves that Zambia is making progess in helping to eliminate malaria. We will continue to raise funds and awareness, and would like to thank everyone who has supported this project. 

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree's Malaria Prevention Programme

Despite the severe drought in the Southern and Western Provinces of Zambia, mosquitos continue to plague the communities. September and October, the months prior to the rainy season, is the time to provide internventions to help prevent people from contracting malaria.

Thanks to recent donations we have been able to include more schools in our 'mosquito nets for schools' programme. Mambova School, situated next to the mighty Zambezi River, received the latest donation at the start of the month.

Our next target is the Ngwezi Zone in Musokotwane Cheifdom. The area has a high prevalence of malaria, is very remote and becomes inaccessible during the rainy season. The inside of dwellings will be painted with our safe insectidal coating, which has proved to be highly successful n other areas, and larvicide will be placed where there is water.

In addition, Ngwezi School and small community schools in the area will receive mosquito nets. The health centres do not provide nets to children over five, as children under five and pregnant women are priority.

Accordng to the World Health Organisation malaria is on the increase globally. Consequently, it is imparative to provide universal coverage for the areas that are known to have malaria. Our aim as always is to provide for protection in rural areas that receive no other support, most especially for children.