In Africa, malaria kills 1 million people a year, more than any other disease. Which led WHO (World Health Organization) to recommend for the first time that nets should be given away, rather than sold , in the developing world. WHO recommended this because free distribution of mosquito nets in Kenya halved child deaths from malaria. In Kenya, after mosquito nets had been given to people, in some areas the number of childhood deaths from malaria had fallen by 44%. Dr Willis Akhwale, head of malaria control at the health ministry, said: “We have shown that the war on malaria can be won.” However, the problem is that even though we know that mosquito nets are one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria; the distribution of nets across Africa had been low due to lack of funding and disagreement on distribution methods. Some in the scientific community had pointed out that only when people made an investment in the net could usage be guaranteed that nets given away have often been resold, used for fishing, or simply discarded when the insecticide wore off. Although, the data shows that giving nets to people in Kenya had dropped malaria rate by 44%. We cannot stop people who uses their nets for different reasons, but there are still more people who use these nets for right reason that we should give away nets to more people in developing countries who are living in high-risk areas of malaria.
Mosquito nets are a very cost effective way at preventing malaria. At $3 USD a net, of course WHO will lose money. However, in the long run malaria will become less of a problem. Less people have to be sent into Africa and try to cure those with malaria with more expensive drugs. UNICEF subsidized the $3 price tag of a mosquito net in Malawi so that those who wished to purchase it would have to pay only 20 cents in US currency. The hospital they operate though sells 450 a day in the rainy season, and 4.4 million nets in 2002 to 25 African countries. UNICEF also gave incentives to nurses to sell the nets and has many reduced price offers, such as for pregnant women and women with young children.
ReplyDeleteWith the world's health organizations working together like this, it is very possible to make malaria a threat of the past.
All UNICEF data from:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malawi_2430.html
This is a good strategy, and the disagreement in distribution seems like an administrative problem that doesn't help anyone. 44% is a very large cut into malaria deaths after all. Even if families end up selling their nets, or use them for some other purpose such as fishing, they would still be a beneficial investment in some form. At the same time, different areas might not get the same benefits, since if not enough people are able to avoid contracting malaria by using the nets, malaria will still be rampant among the mosquito populations and the problem wouldn't be fixed. Nonetheless, this is a good short term fix.
ReplyDeleteFree distribution of the nets is certainly an admirable act but, as you say, the nets are not always used as they should, which is the main problem. Despite this, surely the lives that will be saved by those that use the nets for their purpose far outweigh the cost presented by those that do not. The data from the Kenya example is also encouraging. In any case, for as long as possible, free distribution should be continued. This is likely the most inexpensive but effective short-term solution to the problem posed by malaria.
ReplyDeleteThis brings up a fundamental issue that we often see when dealing with distributing aid to developing countries. It is the battle of money that often leads to a rough patch in aid distribution. The main issue is life and the survival of the children who are falling victim to this awful disease. People's health needs to come before the issue of finances, and with the indisputable statistics it should be no question of whether or not these nets are distributed free of charge, as it is saving lives.
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