Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

Today marks World Malaria Day. The World Health Organisation states ‘After more than a decade of steady advances in fighting malaria, progress has levelled off. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, no significant gains were made in reducing malaria cases in the period 2015 to 2017′.

WHO STATISTICS

• In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries.
• The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 435 000 in 2017.
• The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2017, the region was home to 92% of malaria cases and 93% of malaria deaths.

Despite this disturbing news, I am pleased to say that The Butterfly Tree, though a relatively small grassroot charity, is making significant progress in malaria prevention. We have proof, from the environmental officers and the Zambian Ministry of Health, that our methods are working and that the number of new cases of malaria have been significantly reduced in the areas of application.

Since 2015 we have been using two safe innovative products. One of them is an insecticidal coating, used to paint the inside walls of dwellings, the other is a larvicide, which is placed in breeding grounds to prevent larva developing into mosquitos. We have applied the products in Mukuni, Moomba and Nyawa Chiefdoms, where malaria is prevalent, and most recently started a programme in Musokotwane.

Moomba Chiefdom is the most isolated community in the Kazungula District. In 2016 46% of the people had malaria. We first visited Moomba Health Centre, a distance of 300km from our base, in July 2017. During the past fourteen months we have painted every dwelling in the entire Chiefdom. Last year the number of new cases of malaria had been reduced by two-thirds, by the end of this year we should see further reductions.

In Nyawa Chiefdom, the area we selected had the highest prevalence of malaria. We painted the houses and placed larvicide in ponds and streams. Since January 2018 no new cases of malaria have been reported. We have recently started a programme in Musokotwane Chiefdom.

To prevent contracting malaria universal coverage is crucial. In addition to insecticidal coating and larvicide, mosquito nets must be provided. Sadly, in every region there is a shortfall of nets, with priority being given to pregnant women and children under the age of five. While working with the environmental officers we found that older children are contracting malaria due to not having protection.

As a result we introduced the concept of giving mosquito nets to schools, ensuring that every pupil received their own mosquito net. In November 2017 we did a pilot scheme at River View School, donating 1,400 nets to pupils, and also included the teachers. For the past eighteen months no absenteeism has been caused by malaria. Three further schools – Sikaunswe, Kawewa and Mambova have each received a donation of mosquito nets. After the Easter break Kamwi and Chuunga schools will be included in this programme.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported our vital work in helping the fight against malaria.

Links:

• Information and data on malaria prevention

As always it was great to be back in Zambia, despite the many challenges we are making a positive change in the Kazugula District through our malaria prevention programme.

My first stop was to visit Mr. Tembo, the environmental officer at Nyawa Rural Health Centre, 160 km from our base near Livingstone. In April 2018 we donated safe insecticidal coating and larvicide with the aim of targeting two villages with the highest prevalence of malaria. He was delighted to tell me that there have been no new cases of malaria for the past twelve months.

Several days later I drove to Ngwezi, a remote area in Musokotwane Chiefdom, last year this rural health centre had the third highest number of malaria cases in the District. Earlier this year we distributed larvicide in the surrounding ponds and streams. As soon as sufficient funds are available, we will pain the dwelling with the insecticidal coating to provide maximum protection. However, the larvicide  appears to be working as the clinic has recorded only five new cases of malaria so far this year. 

Our ‘mosquito nets for schools’ project is progressing well. Last month we donated mosquito nets to a fourth school, Mambova Junior Secondary in Sekute Chiefdom. Each pupil and teacher are given a mosquito net to help prevent them contracting malaria and absenteeism from school.

Since we started this programme eighteen months ago, we have given out 2,500 mosquito nets to school children and their teachers. Priority goes to children under-five, consequently the older children get left out.

Every rural health centre told us that there had shortage of mosquito nets. The catchment population at these centres can be in excess of 10,000 and yet some were only receiving 300 nets.

Your support is vital in helping the fight against malaria.