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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable. In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 435 000 in 2017. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria, and developing severe disease, than others. These include infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as non-immune migrants, mobile populations and travellers.
Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission. If coverage of vector control interventions within a specific area is high enough, then a measure of protection will be conferred across the community.
WHO recommends protection for all people at risk of malaria with effective malaria vector control. Two forms of vector control - insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying - are effective in a wide range of circumstances.
In Rivers state, with a population of 5.19 million people, about 36% are under 15 years old and 48% are female. Malaria is a very common disease in this area as there are several breeding grounds for mosquitoes (stagnant water).
This project aims to prevent the disease by distributing treated mosquito nets and training residents in these communities on best practices to clear gutters, unused wells, ponds, eliminating stagnant water at various collection points. The long term practice of these skills will yield Malaria free communities which will reduce the deaths in infants, children under 5 as well as pregnant women who are presently at risk.
Specific Objectives;
• To provide 5000 treated mosquito nets to 5000 families in 10 communities in Rivers state
• Supervise clean up of gutters, unused wells, ponds, water collection areas
• To ensure indoor residual spraying is done at least until the breeding areas for mosquitoes are completely eliminated
Host Rotarians
1. Provide part of the funding for the project
2. Provide direct supervision for the project
3. Provide support services
International Rotarians
1. Provide funding for the project
2. Supportive supervision
PROJECT DURATION
The entire project is meant to be completed within a period of four (4) months.
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
The communities upon completion of this project would have seen significant decrease in the reported cases of Malaria as the breeding sites would no longer be there. Families will also be protected as they use the treated mosquito nets. They will also be equipped to further protect the community in future as the community leaders will see that routine cleaning of gutters and prevention of stagnant water formation.
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