By Alka Subramanian | Director
Is malaria a problem? Malaria continues to be a deadly disease for children and vulnerable adults in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, malaria claimed 608,000 lives globally (6% higher than pre-COVID), with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 94% of malaria cases and deaths.
Need for Malaria prevention: Zambia, one of 20 countries with the highest malaria incidence and mortality, has a high prevalence of malaria co-infection with HIV and TB. The population of Zambia is skewed younger (median age 17 years) which aggravates the problem, as malaria can be fatal for children and pregnant women living with HIV. Children infected with HIV continue to suffer for several years after recovering from malaria, and pregnant women are likely to deliver underweight babies. Older/adults living with HIV and/or infected with TB are also vulnerable to malaria. Also, since 40% of the population lives in extreme poverty they cannot afford nets, 33% of homes do not have nets, and the rest do not have enough nets.
Our response: According to the WHO, sleeping under a net is the most cost-effective method of prevention of malaria and other vector borne diseases such as dengue. This year, we have provided 12,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on malaria prevention benefitting 32,000 children or 24,000 adults as each net can sleep up to four children and two adults.
Next steps: Our plan is to provide an additional 3,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets this year. This will bring the total to 15,000 nets, benefitting 30,000 adults or 55,000 children. Direct beneficiaries are young children, children/adults living with HIV and/or TB, HIV+ pregnant women, older adults living in rural/peri-urban/urban resource poor areas.
How you can save lives: To reach our goal of 15,000 nets, we need funds for an additional 3,000 nets this year. Help us get to our goal by donating generously. Every dollar that goes towards malaria prevention saves lives.
Our goal: is to eradicate malaria from Zambia.
Thank you for giving the gift of health to thousands of adults and children vulnerable to malaria.
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