State of Silent Crisis

Urgent action needs to take place now for mortality rates in Central African Republic (CAR) are skyrocketing through the roof.  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), medical aid group, has come forth and called on donor governments and development agencies to come through with their commitments of foreign assistance, whether it be through funds or humanitarian acts.  As one of world's poorest countries, ranking 179 out of 187 countries in the 2011 UN Human Development Index, life expectancy in CAR is 48 (second lowest in the world).  Cause of most deaths?  Malnutrition and diseases, like malaria, HIV and Aids, that could have been prevented or treated if necessary resources were at their disposal.  Also, with the notorious workings of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), violence, rape, and abduction are contributing factors to the high death rates.  

Sure, health funding is allocated, but it appears that international donors are becoming less involved dropping from $39m in 2005 to $9.9m in 2009.  So, the issue at hand, accountability.  People need to start stepping up to the plate and be good on their commitments for their lives are ultimately in your hands.    

Sean Healey, MSF humanitarian affairs officer, said "The Central African Republican falls into the category of forgotten crises.  It is not receiving the humanitarian commitment that it should."

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The Guardian

An Army of Good

Real difference can be achieved with a dedicated group of people. By training 30,000+ high school-educated females about healthcare, Ethiopia was able to eliminate malaria by 50% and increase immunizations by 35% in five years. This is a great example of developmental growth that is occurring in Africa as we speak!



-Chelsey Dambro



Source: One.org

Future For Malaria Eradication Is Looking Positive

Lately there has been rather gloomy talk of the economic recession and its affects on the money available for global aid. A great deal of aid has decreased. However, on the positive side, according to a report on the state of malaria research on Tuesday, investment has more than quadrupled in the last sixteen years.

Malaria is a serious health burden, killing over 750,000 small children a year in developing countries. The disease was neglected in many countries for decades, but this moment is worth quoting because it is a rare moment of great news:

"A dramatic increase in support for R&D since the mid 1990's means funders are now well on the way to achieving global malaria control, treatment and elimination goals and, with maintained commitment, should reap the rewards in the next five to six years."

Six major organizations conducted the report, including Malaria Vaccine Initiative and Malaria Venture. They found that in a few short years, the roll-out of bed nets to protect against mosquito bites at nigh, indoor spraying with insecticide and better access to good treatment has enabled 40 countries to decrease the amount of malaria deaths by 50%. In fact, some countries have eliminated malaria completely. Morocco, South Africa and Swaziland are all great examples.

"This has put it in the mind of all people that it is possible to defeat this disease and have, one day, a malaria free world."

There remain hurdles. Such as sustaining finance and the possible resistance to the only drug that works well - artemisinin - which is found on the Thai/Cambodian border. There also remains the issue of maintaining a strong partnership between all the countries and the organizations involved.

Yes, there is much more to be done, but eradication no longer seems like a distant dream.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Today Is World Malaria Day!

World Malaria Day is here again! Every year World Malaria Day is celebrated on April 25 around the world in an attempt to raise awareness and recognise the global effort to eradicate this deadly disease. The theme of this year's World Malaria Day is 'Achieving Progress and Impact' which emphasises the international community's renewed efforts to make progress towards zero malaria deaths by 2015.

The fight against malaria involves access to affordable, safe and effective treatments across the world, as well as protective insecticide treated nets and other preventive measures. The slogan of the celebration for the WHO African Region is "Together, we can achieve more". This year’s celebration marks the end of the UN Decade to Roll Back Malaria (2001-2010).

The World Health Orgaisation's statistics show that malaria infects more than 500 million people per year and kills more than a million. The majority of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. But recently Africa showed significant progress in eradicating Malaria as 11 countries had reduced the burden of malaria by at least 50 percent at the end of 2010.

In celebrating World Malaria Day this year, Hollywood stars raised $750,000 to end Malaria in Africa through the event "Hollywood Bites Back"." Celebrities such as John Mayer, Orlando Bloom, Ted Danson and Elizabeth Banks also recorded public service announcements about the disease, which reached millions nationwide and culminated in the live comedy show.

The day is not far away when all of us can bite back and send Malaria to museum!

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: AFRICAN BUSINESS REVIEW

Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait To Reduce Mosquito Population

Researchers have found a way to drastically reduce mosquito populations in areas where fruit sugar is hard for mosquitos to come by. They have demonstrated that fruit sugar is not just an optional food source for Anopheles mosquitoes that are responsible for Malaria, but is actually essential for their survival. The scientists have conducted experiments in two Israeli oases, and found that at the sugar-poor site, female mosquitoes took longer to grow a batch of eggs and if the female's lifespan was shortened by a lack of sugar, the eggs would not mature into vectors capable of malaria transmission.

As a result of this experiment, they proposed the production of 'Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait' (ATSB), which can be sprayed onto patches of vegetation to lure mosquitoes and kill them. This irresistible trap for mosquitos can be made by combining melon and guava extracts and beer and boric acid, all of which can be bought cheaply and locally. A field research has already been conducted to prove this fact. According to Mahamoudou Toure, a researcher at the Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Bamako, Mali, they were able to reduce the mosquito population by 90 per cent along a stretch of road in a semi-arid district in Mali following a single application.

He also added that they need to ensure that the ATSB does not kill other, useful insects in the region, and they need more fund to conduct more experiments. It can be noted that, the Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait for mosquito population is not harmful to humans.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: SCIDEV NET

Senegal Success In Its Struggle Against Malaria

Malaria is one of the most destructive diseases that mankind faces today. According to Global Malaria Partnership, this illness affects to 227 million people, the vast majority of them in Africa, and kills almost 1 million every year, with strong incidence in children under five and pregnant women. Malaria is also the cause of aproximately 40 percent of public health expenditures in Sub-Saharian Africa, and dramatically lowers life expectancy and public health in the countries of the region. Although treatments for this disease exist, they have failed to reach the affected population in enough quantities to deal with the problem. Anyways, the best way to fight malaria is by prevention, and many governments and international organizations such as the World Health Organization lead campaigns in this way. There are two main ways of prevention: vaccines and preventive treatments on one side, and protection against malaria vectors (mosquitoes) on the other.

There is still a lot to do, but some countries are already showing considerable progress in their struggle. For example, Eritrea or Rwanda report a 50% decrease in malaria cases, but most of the advancements are located in non-African countries. So when we hear things like the news coming from Senegal, we must feel glad and hopeful.

Senegal officials state that today, after a 5 year campaign, 8 out of 10 Senegalese homes now own at least one insecticide-treated bednet, one half of the pregnant Senegalese women have recieved at least two doses of "Anti-malarial Preventive Treatment," and the diagnosis of the disease has almost doubled. All these efforts are now giving encouraging results: cases have gone down 41% and child mortality rate has been lowered by 30%. And the situation continues to improve. This is the result of strong efforts, good planning, solid cooperation between the Senegalese Government, other countries and NGOs, and a true commitment to the future of their people.

- David Nebreda

SOURCE: African Leaders Malaria Alliance

Every Family in Central Africa Republic receives an anti-malaria mosquito net

Thousands of Americans joined in on the UN’s rally to protect Central African Republic (CAR) from malaria, the leading killer of children five and under. So today, Nothing But Net, Population Services International and UNICEF accomplished their goal of providing every family in CAR an anti malaria mosquito net. That is about 1 million nets within six months. In total Nothing But Nets, the grassroots campaign to prevent malaria in Africa has raised over $35 million dollars to go towards the 4 million nets distributed throughout Africa. Celebrities, such as Mandy Moore, are joining in on the campaign to help raise awareness and donations. Each net lasts up to three years and is able to protect a family of four during the night. The nets are an easy way to prevent a disease that kills a child every 45 seconds, and only cost $10 a piece.

-Teal Peterson

SOURCE: Population Service International

Malaria Report Shows Promising Advancement in Meeting International Goals.

On December 14, 2010 the WHO issued its World Malaria Report 2010. The report shows a significant decrease in malaria burdens, particularly in African countries. Between 2000 and 2009, eleven African nations have reduced confirmed malaria cases by more than 50%. These reductions resulted in 19 million fewer malaria cases in 2009 compared to 2005, and approximately 200,000 fewer deaths compared to 2000.

According to the report, the main reason for the reductions is increased funding, which reached its highest level in 2010. As a result, more people now have higher access to mosquito nets and preventative treatment.

Substantial improvement in effectively diagnosing and treating malaria has also been made. There has been an increase of diagnostic tests administered to detect suspected malaria cases. Eleven African countries are also now able to provide antimalarial treatment for 100% of malaria cases in the public sector.

However, international funding for malaria leveled-off at 1.8 billion between 2009 and 2010. Though funding will continue to be a challenge, the significant gains are promising, and it is critical that the international community ensure funding to meet malaria control targets, including the Millennium Goals by 2015.


-Martina Georgieva

SOURCE: The WHO

What If Malaria Struck Your Hometown?

Imagine a sudden outbreak of malaria in your hometown and hundreds of people fall ill. People rush to the nearest hospital to get treated, but then doctors discover that malaria parasites have developed resistance to multiple malaria medicines. Scenes of this outbreak are depicted in this video clip from GOOD Magazine’s Channel. This may seem unlikely for U.S. residents but this happens in many parts of the world, especially in Africa.

According to a 2009 World Health Organization study, roughly 3.3 billion people - half of the world's population - are at risk of malaria. People living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable. Malaria is a serious concern in Africa, where an African child has on average between 1.6 and 5.4 episodes of malaria fever each year.

There is hope for people vulnerable to the disease. Organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are making progress in their fight against malaria. Between 2000 and 2006, several countries in Africa saw a 50 percent decrease in malaria thanks to a combined set of effective interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying of homes with insecticides to control mosquitoes, and drug treatments to prevent and cure malaria.

- Clare O.

SOURCE: World Health Organization

Newsflash: Comedy Kills Malaria

Ed Helms is one of many comedians who have taken on the fight against malaria. Stars from The Office, 30 Rock, and other shows have come together to spread awareness for this deadly disease. Malaria No More, an advocacy campaign dedicated to ending malaria in Africa by 2015, has created a series of hilarious videos and "PSA"s to educate people about malaria.

Helms has said that it is difficult to blend comedy and awareness of malaria because it is easy to diminish the reality of the lives of millions of people in Africa, but he believes that comedy is one of the greatest tools to get a message across.

Comedians coming together for a good cause. Let's help end malaria by 2015.

-Corey Cox

SOURCE: Malaria No More

Bill and Melinda Gates on 60 Minutes

Sunday Bill and Melinda Gates were featured on 60 Minutes in a montage of interviews and videos in which they discussed their plans for charitable investments domestically and around the world through their foundation.

The plan is to give away $60 billion. Part of this money will go towards funding The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s global priorities which are HIV/AIDS, malaria, and mother and child deaths. While those are the priorities, the Foundation is also working to eradicate polio where it still exists.

With the opening of The Global Fund’s replenishment meeting today, it is a good time to ask yourself how you would give away that much money. Once you have answered that question, take action. Call your congressional leaders in favor of foreign assistance laws. Call the White House in favor of a higher Global Fund pledge. Most of us are not billionaire philanthropists; however, collectively, we still have the power to create change. As for Melinda Gates, she is less worried about the amount of money they invest than with the result that is going to come from that investment.

-Kelli Hanson

SOURCE: CBS News

Intervention to Poverty

Have you heard? Malaria rates have been slowly declining! The current global investment in malaria is saving lives while contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

The malaria net is one of the most popular and well-known inventions that have contributed to saving hundreds of lives. Providing these nets are not the only thing that helps to eliminate malaria. Education, reliable transportation, and pregnancy prevention also help a great deal.

1.Education and counseling for men, women and children about malaria, prevention techniques, causes, and outcomes have positively impacted the areas malaria targets making significant strides in decreasing malaria count.

2.Because pregnant women are generally more susceptible than other adults to malarial infection, prevention methods during pregnancy are also of immense importance so maternal anemia and impaired fetal growth may be avoided. A few low-cost interventions (recommended by WHO) are the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, participating in program activities, and effective case management of malaria during pregnancy.

3.Reliable transportation is necessary to reach those individuals in the most isolated areas to provide regular and predictable health care. www.riders.org

According to the new report from Roll Back Malaria, "An estimated 908 000 malaria deaths have been averted through ITN (insecticide-treated nets) coverage between 2000–2010, with three quarters of the deaths averted since 2006."

The things that are needed to achieve MDGs are not ouf of reach nor impractical!

-Shereen Alibhai

SOURCE: Change.org