One area of need which we identified early in our partnership was the huge number of children who die from malaria fever before they reach their fifth birthday.

    Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The parasite is transmitted from person to person through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito, which requires blood to nurture her eggs. Ninety per cent of deaths due to malaria occur in Africa south of the Sahara mostly among young children. Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds. Under 5's in the region typically suffer 6 episodes of malaria per year. Many children who survive an episode of severe malaria may be left with significant mental or physical disabilities. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable to malaria, which is a major cause of perinatal mortality, low birth weight and maternal anaemia. The disease also causes a huge burden on family finances due to the costs of treatment. See WHO Malaria Fact Sheets for more information on malaria.

 

    Very few people in the villages of the Mbale region own mosquito nets. Insecticide treated nets are the most cost effective measure in combating the effects of malaria. Studies have shown that regularly sleeping under an insecticide treated net cuts the incidence of malaria in children by 46%.

    We aim to supply enough mosquito nets to protect all under 5's and pregnant mothers in Mbale District by 2010. The nets will be bought from a supplier in Kampala and distributed to the villages. These nets will be bought untreated from the suppliers and then treated with insecticide from the Dept. of Health in Mbale, to make them more effective. Our partners in Mbale will prepare the communities to receive the nets with health education and will liaise with the Dept. of Health for their treatment.

    The distribution of nets is part of the Primary Heath Care provision being run by our partner NGOs. In addition to receiving a mosquito net families who are part of this scheme will also have access to malaria tablets and basic medication administered by volunteer health workers at the village level. (see Primary Health Care)