Malaria prevention report august 2012

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R E P ORT TH RO UG H J U LY 2012

Malaria Elimination Program

Protecting health and saving lives with treated mosquito nets World Vision also has made the fight against malaria a top priority in our work because we refuse to accept its impact on children. No child should die because his family can’t afford something as simple as a mosquito net.

© 2011 Wor ld V ision

To reduce illness and malaria deaths, we aim to provide universal coverage— or one treated net for every two people—in our community development areas as well as in the districts (similar to counties) in which the programs are located. By distributing these nets to a broad area, we can better protect children and families by preventing bites and reducing the mosquito population. Local community health workers and volunteers are trained and supervised by World Vision staff to implement this program. These community leaders will provide training and education to those at risk about the causes of malaria and its prevention, as well as how to obtain nets, diagnosis, and proper treatment as needed.

A Kenyan woman holds up the vouchers she will exchange for bed nets for her family.

Our goal is to meet the Roll Back Malaria target of a 75 percent reduction in malaria cases and near-zero malaria deaths by 2015 in the areas where we have distributed nets. Long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets are providing a first-line defense against malaria, bringing health and improved quality of life to families in Kenya’s North Rift Valley province and the Koulikoro and Kayes regions of Mali.

Accomplishments to date

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World Vision’s malaria elimination programs have provided more than 2.2 million nets to children and families in Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mali since 2010. So far during fiscal 2012, 342,000 nets were distributed in Kenya, and 422,800 nets were distributed in Mali.

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Early results culled from data collected at district-level health centers are showing marked improvements in the number of reported malaria cases since nets were distributed. The chart at right shows results against a program goal of helping to reduce malaria cases by 75 percent over five years.

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What follows is a brief overview of World Vision’s malaria elimination work that took place from October 2011 tthrough July 2012. Kenya Activities in Kenya included distributing 342,000 nets that are now providing protection for nearly 670,000 people in 111,100 households. Nets were distributed in the districts of Central Pokot, North Pokot, West Pokot, and

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Percent of malaria case decrease since net distributions

50 40

FiveͲyear goal

30 20

0 Mozambique

Kenya

Zambia

These very early results are based on a one-year comparison in Zambia, and preliminary two- to fourmonth comparisons in Mozambique and Kenya.


© 2012 Wor ld V ision

Loima. The distributions originally were slated for the last quarter of fiscal year 2011 (July through September 2011), but heavy rains, insecurity in some areas, and customs delays made it necessary to move distribution dates into the first quarter of FY12. However, the delays provided additional time for community members, volunteers, and World Vision and Ministry of Health staff to prepare for the distributions, which were carried out smoothly.

Local leaders and volunteers from the Kolokani and Diema districts of Mali learned about the upcoming mass distribution of nets in their communities, and the roles they will play in those distributions.

With deep appreciation Your generosity is helping families in Kenya and Mali sleep through the night, protected from the potentially deadly bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets and education on the importance of using nets and seeking rapid treatment for malaria will save lives— especially in children younger than 5 and pregnant women, who are most vulnerable. World Vision joins thousands of families in thanking you for helping to make this possible. For more information about malaria prevention programs and the impact of your giving, please contact your World Vision representative. May God richly bless you for essings with sharing your blessings others.

More than 2,000 individuals received training on net distribution procedures, and distribution teams worked tirelessly to ensure all households that were registered received their nets. Also, community meetings were held across the districts to make sure everyone understood the net distribution program, the importance of sleeping under a bed net, and how to recognize and seek immediate treatment for malaria. Mali During the first two quarters of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 through March 2012), World Vision staff in Mali laid the groundwork for distributions of 422,800 long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets in the regions of Koulikoro and Kayes, covering 11 of our community development areas. Distributions were delayed because of civil unrest in Mali, but as tensions eased and World Vision staff returned to work, distributions were rescheduled for early June. World Vision and Malian health officials coordinated plans and signed agreements that outline work to be completed in collaboration with partners. Necessary equipment was ordered, and health staff, community leaders, and volunteers were trained. Households also were registered to determine net needs and provide vouchers. Community education stressed the importance of using nets, and rapid diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Initial distributions were to begin in late March, but a March 21 coup in the capital of Bamako and government instability led World Vision to temporarily close its offices for the safety of staff. Net distributions were rescheduled for early June and July and successfully completed in the districts of Kolokani (145,165 nets), Diema (138,635 nets), and Kati (125,000 nets). Continuing activities Follow-up activities in both countries include: • Home visits by volunteers to ensure nets are being used and properly hung • Continued education for communities by staff and volunteers on net use and malaria prevention and treatment

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

• Continued monitoring of health clinic data on reported cases of malaria and malaria deaths, to measure program effectiveness • End-of-program evaluations

— Revelation 22:2 (NIV) P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 worldvision.org

INT12FECREP-Malaria_Mid_8.22.12 © 2012 World Vision, Inc.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.


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