Preventing Childhood Malaria Deaths in Mashegu

The period between June and September marks the peak of rainy season in rural Mashegu. This year was certainly not an exception. The rains were intense, with the resultant increase in the malaria vector breeding sites that inevitably leads to more malaria cases among children and pregnant mothers. For this quarter, PSJ’s malaria team concentrated our malaria control outreach activities in remote rural communities that lack health clinics and other health care resources. These communities represented areas where children were most vulnerable during the peak malaria attack season.

The biggest challenge we faced was inadequate supplies of insecticide treated nets, antimalarial medications and inadequate logistics (transportation)  to reach these remote villages due to lack of paved roads. It was difficult to get through even with motorcycles. Despite these challenges, our malaria control team reached a total of 156 children who had acute attacks of malaria. 15 children and 18 pregnant women received insecticide treated nets. At Kwati village, thanks to our team of community volunteers, the malaria team saved the life of two year old Mohammed whose caregiver could not afford to take him to the clinic. Thanks to your donations to the project, he was able to receive prompt attention including anti-malaria therapy.

On behalf of the villagers and the children we serve, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to all the donors who made financial contributions to this project so far. We know some of you have donated over and over again to this project. Gradually, we are inching towards achieving our goal. Thank you so much! Through your donations, we have saved the lives hundreds of children from their number one killer: malaria.