Malaria

What is malaria? Begins with a mosquito bite by the infected insect Malaria symptoms appear about 9 to 14 days after the infectious mosquito bite Typically, malaria produces fever, headache, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms. If drugs are not available for treatment or the parasites are resistant to them, the infection can progress rapidly to become life-threatening. Malaria can kill by infecting and destroying red blood cells (anaemia) and by clogging the capillaries that carry blood to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs.

Malaria in africa According to the latest estimates, released in December 2014, there were about 198 million cases of malaria in 2013 (with an uncertainty range of 124 million to 283 million) and an estimated 584 000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 367 000 to 755 000 Most malaria cases (88%) and deaths (90%) occurred in the WHO African Region in 2015. Malaria remains a major killer of children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, taking the life of a child every 2 minutes. In 2015, there were 438 000 deaths from malaria globally, and about 306 000 of these were in children under 5 years of age. In the African Region, the estimated number of malaria deaths in children under 5 fell from 694 000 in 2000 (range: 569 000–901 000) to 292 000 in 2015 (range: 212 000–384 000). Malaria is Africa's leading cause of under-five mortality (20%) and constitutes 16% of the continent's overall disease burden.

WHAT DOES MALARIA COST AFRICA? Malaria has been estimated to cost Africa more than US$ 12 billion every year in lost GDP It accounts for 40% of public health expenditure, 30-50% of inpatient admissions, and up to 50% of outpatient visits in areas with high malaria transmission.

Cost continued In In Africa today, malaria is understood to be both a disease of poverty and a cause of poverty. Annual economic growth in countries with high malaria transmission has historically been lower than in countries without malaria. malaria also hampers children's schooling and social development through both absenteeism and permanent neurological and other damage associated with severe episodes of the disease.

Why africa? Most malaria infections in Africa south of the Sahara are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the most severe and life-threatening form of the disease. This region is also home to the most efficient, and therefore deadly, species of the mosquitoes which transmit the disease

WHY CAN’T AFRICA DEAL WITH MALARIA? Most countries in Africa lack the infrastructures and resources necessary to mount sustainable campaigns against malaria. Many rural areas have few local hospitals to treat patients

What other challenges does africa face? One of the greatest challenges facing Africa in the fight against malaria is drug resistance. Resistance to the cheapest and most widely used drugs is common throughout Africa The prevelence of fake medications coming from China

Do they go to the doctor? In many African nations infected children are not taken to the hospitals as soon as they are symptomatic

Do they have protection? The people are in dire need of nets to avoid acquiring this disease. Many do not have them or they are damaged. Surveys in 18 African countries have revealed that 34% of households own an insecticide-treated bed net but they are not always used to protect the most vulnerable - only 5% of children and 27% of pregnant women slept under a net.

WHAT IS BEING DONE? Almost 20 African countries have reduced or eliminated taxes and tariffs on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to make them more affordable.

What is being done (2) More than half the malaria-endemic African countries, representing almost half the population at risk have established Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) to achieve malaria reduction. These are based around 3 parts Prompt access to effective treatment Promotion of Nets Prevention and management of malaria in pregnancy

Roll back Malaria Growing political commitment by African leaders for action on malaria was given a boost by the founding of the Roll Back Malaria global partnership in 1998. Less than two years later African Heads of State and their representatives met in Abuja, Nigeria to translate RBM's goal of halving the malaria burden by 2010 into tangible political action. The Abuja Declaration, signed in April 2000 endorsed a concerted strategy to tackle the problem of malaria across Africa.

What can private companies do? Contributing much-needed capital to scale-up current programs or create new ones. Assisting in the research and development of new interventions and treatments for malaria. Providing management and business expertise to stimulate the market for insecticide-treated mosquito nets and antimalarial drugs. Using their network of distribution channels to carry life-saving medicines and prevention measures to remote communities. Using their marketing and PR expertise to assist public education campaigns.

What has Rwanda done? Prior to 2005, there was a modest 30,000 mosquito nets distributed by the national government to protect its citizens against malaria. In 2005 however, 300,000 bednets were supplied. By the next year, as the new Western granted resources went to work, 1.4 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) were distributed to the country's most vulnerable populations.

Rwanda and drugs Rwandan Ministry of Health introduced new guidelines making Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) the first line treatment of malaria, with both public clinics and private pharmacies stocking the most effective anti-malarial available. Expectant mothers were given intermittent treatment in pregnancy (IPT), making them less susceptible to malaria infections during this vulnerable time.

Rwanda gets to the villages Programs for local management of fever increased throughout Rwanda Trained community health care workers were created 2 selected in each village They put national malaria policies in motion at the local level. Providing information and resources for prompt and effective treatment and malaria prevention. Behavior change communication programs such as mobile cinemas have resulted in additional widespread sensitization about net use and malaria transmission, even in the most rural areas.

Rwanda sprays nationwide government health insurance and improvements in quality of care and availability of services. Last year, indoor residual spraying (IRS) with pesticide for protection against malaria was provided to more than 190,000 homes in targeted areas.

Rwanda’s results Deaths due to malaria have dropped to only 7%, a dramatic 60% reduction in just over two years of rapid scale-up. Health center utilization rate is over 70%, with only 10% of patients seeking treatment for malaria.

Overall improvement On the basis of reported cases for 2013, 55 countries are on track to reduce their malaria case incidence rates by 75%, in line with World Health Assembly targets for 2015. Malaria mortality rates have fallen by 47% globally since 2000, and by 54% in the WHO African Region.

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsDXtU5-3jo http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000003441956/with-nets-fight-malaria-or-starvation.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DvRx7pFBwo