Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

The World Health Organization estimated that there were 263 million malaria cases in 2023 and 597,000 deaths in 83 countries. The WHO African Region recorded 246 million cases and 569,000 deaths. Children under five in this Region accounted for 76% of all deaths.

Until one of the vaccination programmes is readily available in Zambia protecting children against malaria is paramount. Starting in 2017 The Butterfly Tree initiated a project entitled 'Mosquito Nets for Schools'. For the past eight years we have distributed thousands upon thousands of mosquito nets to school going children as this catergory gets left out. Priority is usually given to under five children and pregnant women.

In addition to the 3,800 mosquito nets which we donated this year in Mulobezi District in Western Province we are donating to schools in the Kazungula and Kalomo Districts of Southern Province. Schools in Katanda zone in Kalomo District, where we are building a new health post recently received 1,180 bednets.

This week a further 1,000 were donated to children and teachers at Namchele and Maila Male primary schools, also in Kalomo Dostrict. This coming week 1,000 more mosquito nets will be given to children and teachers in Bombwe zone in Kazungula District, where we constructed a health post in 2022.  

The rainy season has started and more mosquito nets are needed. Malaria cases will continue to rise during this period and will peak in June 2025. A mosquito net costs just $7 or £5 and can protect a child from the life-threatening disease.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree - malaria prevention programme