Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

A recent report from the Ministry of Health in Zambia stated that 3,800 school children were protected from malaria in the Mulobezi District where malaria is endemic, thanks to a donation from The Butterfly Tree. 

This year we have donated a further 2,600 mosquito nets to provide protection for more school children in this district. The following is a testimonial from a Mulobezi District Health officer:

'Malaria has remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the district and the country at large. It is against this background that the ministry of health and its cooperating partners are working tirelessly and put their resources and efforts together to ensure that malaria is reduced drastically in the District and end it for good, hence improve life of many. The District Health Office together with the Education Office selected 21 schools with high burden of malaria to receive LLINs, the target population being learners and teachers. Key messages on malaria prevention and correct use of ITNs (mosquito nets) were shared to both learners and teachers. The distribution exercise was carried out successfully in selected 21 schools in the District with support from The Butterfly Tree which procured the ITNs and provided transport logistics to reach the benefiting schools not forgetting the Teachers and Health Centre staff who played part in providing awareness to learners about the importance an ITN.'

This week we started the development of a new health post in Maile Male, in Kalomo District. This includes a main clinic, two staff houses, 4 toilets and a biodigester for waste. 

A borehole was successfully drilled on Sunday to provide water for the facility. 2,200 mosquito nets will be donated to school children. In addition to providing general healthcare, post-natal and antenatal, and childhood vaccinations the facility will provide access for early testing and treatment of malaria for over 13,000 people. 

Links:

• Malaria Prevention Programme