Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

As always we continue to support malaria prevention. According to the World Health Organisation's latest malaria report 2020 saw an increase of 14,000,000 cases of malaria on the previous year and 627,000 deaths. This increase was partly due to the disruptions in distributions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to further donations from the we have donated insecticidal coating to Moomba Chiefdom, and several thousand mosquito nets to schools in Moomba and Ngwezi areas.

Though it was previously stated that the number of malaria cases globally had declined in the last decade, apparently this information was not accurate due to the methodolgy used by the World Health Organisation. Their new method suggests that cases have in fact been on the increase, and that the death toll in children was higher. Concerted efforts are now being made to protect more children, and the malaria vaccine is being offered to children in Kenya and Malawi.

In the meantime until the vaccine is readily available a simple mosquito net, costing $8, is effective in preventing malaria and could save a child's life. The Ministry of Health distributes mosquito nets to children under five and pregnant women as they are the most vulnerable catagories. However, school children are left unprotected. Therefore, The Butterfly Tree's 'mosquito nets' provides pupils and teachers with a mosquito, providing universal coverage for the entire school, is essential. This programme is proving to be a successful method in reducing the number of new cases and consequently the spread of malaria. Absenteeism is reduced and pupils can continue their studies without prolonged illness and recurrent bouts of malaria.

Many thanks to everyone for supporting this vital project.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Malaria Prevention Programme