Physical Health Zambia Project #6187

Project Mosquito Nets

by Power of Love Foundation

Project Report | Feb 28, 2021
2021 is Off to a Good Start

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Nets keep children malaria free

A Unique Year

According to Bill Gates, 2020 was a year with “mutually exacerbating catastrophes” due to COVID. Public health has been setback by 25 years, as people are not seeking health care and consequently not receiving life-saving services such as vaccinations. According to WHO, malaria deaths can double due to COVID in Sub-Saharan Africa. The need to escalate preventive measures that include mosquito bed nets and spraying homes with insecticides is greater this year.

Why Zambia

Malaria transmission rates are high in all areas in Zambia, due to high co-infections rates between HIV and malaria, water collection, and poor sanitation. One-third of households do not have access to even one net and the remainder may need more than one net per household. Also, less than 50% of children under five sleep under a net, even though malaria can be fatal for young children. Pregnant women living with HIV are also highly vulnerable to malaria infection and death.

Our Response

To keep vulnerable families safe from malaria, 3,000 mosquito bed nets and education were provided in rural and urban areas this month as the malaria season runs from October to May. Nets provision took place in a safe manner to prevent the spread of COVID.

As always, beneficiary communities were selected based on need and transmission rates of malaria. Direct beneficiaries were young children, children and adults living with HIV, older people, people suffering from TB, and pregnant women. Young children, and HIV+ pregnanat women are especially vulnerable as malaria can be fatal for these groups.

Plan for 2021

Our goal is to provide a total of 12,000-15,000 long lasting insecticide nets and education benefitting 20,000-50,000 adults and children as each net can sleep up to four young children or two adults. Our vision is for Zambia to be malaria free in the next three years. Zambia has set a lofty goal of eliminating malaria by 2021and according to the USAID this goal is ambitious but within reach.

Thanks for keeping children and families free from malaria and COVID-19

Using a net is the best way to prevent malaria

Preschool Children

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Dec 20, 2020
Thank you for keeping Vulnerable Families Malaria Free

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Nov 18, 2020
To Keep Vulnerable Communities Malaria Free, 6000 Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets Provided

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Nets Ready for Vulnerable Communities

Impact of COVID: The COVID virus has had a disproportionately higher impact on vulnerable populations and developing countries. According to Bill Gates, this year we are amid “mutually exacerbating catastrophes”. In public health, we have been setback by 25 years, as people are not seeking health care and receiving life-saving services such as vaccinations. Further, according to the WHO, disruption to anti-malaria programs due to COVID could cause deaths from malaria to double in Sub-Saharan Africa. Progress in the fight against malaria has stalled at the same time as mosquitoes and parasites gain resistance to treatment. In 2020 and 2021, there is an urgent need to escalate preventive measures that include mosquito bed nets and spraying homes with insecticides.

Malaria in Zambia: Malaria transmission rates are high in all areas in Zambia, due to high co-infections rates between HIV and malaria, water logging, and poor sanitation. One-third of households do not have access to even one net and the remainder may need more than one net per household. Also, less than 50% of children under five sleep under a net, even though malaria can be fatal for young children. Pregnant women living with HIV are also highly vulnerable to malaria infection and death.

Our Response to the crisis: According to the USAID, it is possible to eliminate malaria from Zambia in the next 2-3 years. To help eliminate malaria from Zambia, 6000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on malaria and COVID is being provided this month. Trained health care professionals provide health education and information about malaria and COVID. Topics discussed during the education session include:

hygiene, drainage maintenance, filling and/or removal of mosquito breeding sites,
proper use and maintenance of nets (cleaning and storage) to prevent damage,
negative impact of malaria in pregnancy,
information about malaria for HIV+ children,
identification of signs and symptoms of malaria, and
information regarding regular re-treatment of nets, cost, and location.
information on how to prevent COVID

All protocols for COVID prevention are followed during the provision of nets and education. Beneficiary communities were selected based on need and transmission rates of malaria. Direct beneficiaries are young children, children and adults living with HIV, older people, people suffering from TB, and pregnant women.

With your support, 11,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education benefitting approximately 44,000 children or 22,000 adults (as each net can sleep four young children or two adults) have been distributed in 2020.

Next steps: Our plan is to provide 12,000-15,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education in 2021.

Stay safe. We are all in this together.

Thanks for keeping children and families free from malaria and COVID-19.

Nets Provision to Vulnerable Children

Nets Provision at an Orphanage in Zambia

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