US Senate Adopts Resolution Honoring World Malaria Day
As with the Canadian Senate, championed by Senator Mobina Jaffer http://www.liberalsenateforum.ca/In-The-Senate/Statement/4516_Motion-to-Recognize-April-25-Annually-as-World-Malaria-Day/, the US Senate recognizes the importance of World Malaria Day as a day to unite against malaria.
http://coons.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/release/senate-unanimously-adopts-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-world-malaria-day-introduced-by-senators-coons-and-wicker/
Senator Mobina Jaffer fights against malaria
On World Malaria Day, renewing our commitment to maternal health and fighting malaria
By Mobina S.B. Jaffer, Special to The Vancouver Sun, April 23, 2011
B.C. Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer visits Kampala, Uganda, in March of 2011. It has long been known that the burden of malaria on the developing world is crushing. An entirely preventable disease affects 350-500 million people each year, kills upwards of one million and claims the life of an African child every 30 seconds. This is simply unacceptable.
What is even more unfortunate is that this disease preys on the most vulnerable population namely pregnant women and children.
It is estimated that 50 million women become pregnant in malaria-endemic areas annually, half of them in sub-Saharan Africa alone. The toll this disease takes on mothers and their children is not negligible as studies indicate that malaria indirectly causes at least 25,000 maternal health deaths and between 75,000 and 200,000 newborn deaths each and every year.
I am a child of Africa. I have drank water from the river Nile and I have swam in Lake Victoria. I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of malaria.
This is why throughout my career in the Senate I have been devoted to finding ways to help eradicate this disease. Most recently, I was in Uganda where I visited a maternal health clinic in Kawempe, which is located in Kampala, Uganda.
During this visit I was informed that this clinic is often over capacity forcing three or four women to share a single bed. In addition to space constraints, HIV positive patients are treated alongside non-HIV patients in an effort to avoid stigmatization. As a result several women are infected during their time at the clinic.
While I was in Kawempe I also received confirmation that maternal health and malaria do indeed go hand in hand. After speaking with several nurses and patients I learned that although these women were no longer as vulnerable to childbirth complications such as fistula, they still continued to battle entirely preventable diseases such as malaria.
Maternal health clinics like the one I visited in Kawempe allow pregnant women to receive the medical attention required to ensure that both pregnant women and their newborn are protected. They act as great resource to the community.
However, it is important to remain mindful of the fact that these very women are still susceptible to diseases such as malaria.
Maternal health clinics need to have the resources necessary to ensure that their patients are protected from diseases such as malaria. This can be done by distributing insecticide treated mosquito nets, providing rapid diagnostic tests in remote under-serviced areas, ensuring that intermittent presumptive malaria drugs are administered to pregnant women and that anti-malarial drugs are readily available and affordable.
Although non-profit organizations such as Buy-A-Net and Roll Back Malaria have made great strides towards combating this epidemic there is still great progress to be made.
Canada recently pledged $1.1 billion toward a maternal health initiative in an effort to ensure that pregnant women and children are protected.
However after working on the ground and visiting maternal health clinics like the one in Kawempe I strongly believe maternal health and malaria should be addressed simultaneously as the two go hand-in-hand.
As a Senator who represents that province of British Columbia I am extremely proud of the student body at UNBC just recently won the national Spread the Net Challenge and I would like to congratulate them for raising over $18,000.
This money will be used to send mosquito nets to Africa. By making such a generous contribution these students have made a great impact on the lives of thousands of families in Africa.
As we commemorate World Malaria Day on the 25th of April I strongly urge you to follow in the footsteps of the students of UNBC and donate $10 towards purchasing a net that can save a life.
Mobina S.B. Jaffer is the senator for British Columbia.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/World+Malaria+renewing+commitment+maternal+health+fighting+malaria/4664977/story.html#ixzz1KqO71N6L
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Honored for Fight Against Malaria, HIV/AIDS
On the occasion of World Malaria Day 2011, Buy-a-Net congratulates Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Health of Ethiopia on recently receiving the prestigious Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award for 2011 in recognition of his leadership in addressing and mitigating the spread of hazardous and infectious diseases like malaria and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Ethiopia.
World Malaria Day, April 25th – A DAY TO ACT
World Malaria Day, April 25th, 2011 A DAY TO ACT
Citizens should feel proud because together we are Achieving Progress and Impact in the fight against malaria.
In 2010, malaria prevention efforts saved 485 children’s lives in Africa each day.
It used to be that a child died every 30 seconds. While still unacceptable, that number is now every 45 seconds.
The last decade has seen over one third of malaria endemic countries successfully cut malaria cases by 50%.
Global malaria deaths dropped by over 20% between 2000 and 2009. Between 2008-2010, almost 300 million insecticide treated bed nets were given in Sub-saharan Africa.
Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease and while we’ve made progress, we have a way to go.
780,000 people die annually from malaria; more than 90% of these deaths are in Africa, the majority of who are children under five years old. Malaria continues to kill more young children than any other single disease, claiming the life of a child every 45 seconds.
Pregnant women are also most vulnerable. Malaria is a maternal and child health global concern, and costs African nations $12 billion each year.
World Malaria Day, April 25th, represents a chance for all of us to renew our commitment and help end deaths caused by this killer disease.
For less than $10, you can save the life of a mother and her children. For $350,you can save many mothers and their children in one village. One net can protect up to 4 people and last up to 3 years.
Remember mothers and their children. We can save the lives of 3 million children by 2015 with universal malaria prevention coverage in Africa alone. Help Buy-a-Net make the lives of every man, woman and child count. Visit www.buyanet.ca for more information.
Lisa helped raise money to buy bed nets for the Kawempe Campaign
May 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under NetRaisers
Lisa helped raise money to buy bed nets for the Kawempe Campaign, and helped raise awareness over the next few weeks leading up to World Malaria Day.
“I have been researching some charities over the past few months (charities who provide assistance to less developed countries) and I came across your website. I was immediately impressed by what you have accomplished and what you are trying to achieve so I want to help.”
Lisa, along with friends and family, managed to collect $650!
Great job, thank you!
Vanier College Students Net A Village
May 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under NetRaisers
Students from Vanier College, Held a Bake Sale in support of World Malaria Day. April 25th 2010
Netting a Village.
Thank you Vanier!
Local Youth Theatre Troupe takes to Parliament Hill: Not So Amateur Amateurs perform “A Malaria Story”
Local Youth Theatre Troupe takes to Parliament Hill: Not So Amateur Amateurs perform “A Malaria Story”
Kingston, Ontario – April 15, 2010 To commemorate World Malaria Day, the Not So Amateur Amateurs (NSAA) will present the live performance, “A Malaria Story”, Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., Room 256-S, Centre Block, Parliament Hill.
The event, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Malaria Caucus Vice-Chairs, Senator Mobina Jaffer and Patrick Brown, M.P., (Barrie), along with Senator Hugh Segal, will bring together parliamentarians to recognize the occasion of World Malaria Day, April 25th.
In addition to the performance, representatives of the Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group will be on hand to provide information and education on the burden of malaria.
”I am so proud of the young people and parents collaborating on this project. They have worked very hard because they really believe in this cause. It is wonderful when we can use our talents and resources to help others,” said Christine Harvey, Director, Not So Amateur Amateurs. “We could not have done this without the help of Ms. Rosemarie Neumayer in costume design, Pierre Couture for videography, and Deanna Lynn Productions for the puppetry talent which is so much a part of the production.”
Established by the World Health Assembly, World Malaria Day is a day set aside annually to raise awareness about malaria and to remind all citizens around the world that there needs to be increased action in the fight against this preventable, treatable disease that continues to take the lives of nearly one million people a year.
“We are delighted the Malaria Caucus has invited this talented group of young people to demonstrate through theatre the urgency behind malaria prevention and control. There is hope in stopping this killer disease that puts 50 million pregnant women at risk each year, and takes a child’s life every 30 seconds,” said Debra Lefebvre, Executive Director, Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group.
The Not So Amateur Amateurs (NSAA) is a young people’s non-profit theatre company. The NSAA brings theatrical professionals together with young people of various ages and abilities. The NSAA gives young people the opportunity to learn all aspects of theatre, and the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community.
Launched in 2004, Buy-a-Net Malaria Prevention Group (www.buyanet.ca) is Canada’s first citizen-driven, registered charitable organization that seeks to prevent deaths from malaria. The campaign, whose slogan - “7 Bucks, Buy-A-Net, Save a Life” – provides advocacy and awareness about malaria, and raises funds needed for the procurement of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets and drug therapies. In partnership with community-based groups, the nets and medicines are distributed one village at a time, free-of-charge.
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Contact: Joanne Langlois, Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group
(613) 542-1264 (613) 540-1202 (cell) E-Mail: buyanet@buyanet.ca
Christine Harvey, Not So Amateur Amateurs
(613) 653-7529 E-Mail: mydramaqueen@hotmail.com
Kathy McPhail Joins in the Fight on Malaria with This “Voluntour” Report
“It seems for most Manitobans that summer sort of just slipped away but for me, this is a summer I will never forget. I was able to spend two weeks at the first of August with a Canadian volunteer organization called Buy-A-Net in Uganda, Africa. I could not have done so without the support of the RHA Board of Directors for my request to be out of country (and at the time they were approving my request we had no idea what level of H1N1 would be occurring) so I cannot thank them enough. As well, the support of the Senior Management team in covering for me also enabled this dream to take shape.
Buy-A-Net is an organization that was started about six years ago by a couple of nurses (Gail Fones, from Manitoba, is one of those and her lead partner from Kingston Ontario, Debra Lefebvre). They are committed to stop Malaria one village at a time with the group’s campaign of Stop the Bite, Stop Malaria.
I was one of a group of 10 volunteers on this trip and it was made even more special as I traveled with one of my daughters who was also part of this work. We worked with community leaders in areas identified by Buy-A-Net in the less fortunate areas of Kampala, a city of 1.5 million and also in a few villages in rural Uganda.
In the designated areas, our team along with local leaders registered homes one by one and assisted local trained Ugandans to provide group education sessions about Malaria, the etiology, signs, symptoms and prevention methods which include the medicated malaria net. We also monitored homes to ensure the nets were hung and being used by priority persons within the homes and community leaders evaluate the success of the Buy-A-Net projects. One net per home is distributed and yet every 30 seconds, a child dies in Uganda with Malaria. The nets are made possible by Canadians’ donations to this effort. A net costs $6 which is not much to us but is about 14,000 Ugandan shillings and far from reach for many of the Ugandans we met.
We also had the opportunity to immunize children in one of the rural villages where Buy-A-Net has a presence, visit two schools, one a rural boarding school and one within the city of Kampala. These have made a lasting impression on me personally. They have so few to no resources for the children and with our kids being able to pick up the lists of things for their new school year, I think of these children again with near to nothing, not even a lunch for their 12-hour school day!
We also visited Mulago Hospital which is a 2,000-bed facility within the city. I would love to share these learnings. Again, they seem able to achieve much with very very little. The ethical decisions that nurses and physicians face daily are so overwhelming.
Yet, in spite of many of these situations, I was awestruck by the overall spirit of happiness, warmth, and appreciation the Ugandan people shared with us. The kids are amazing and love to sing, play games with you or cuddle, just like all kids. That is the most lasting impression I will keep with me: the wonderful people and their spirit!
If you would like to read about Buy-A-Net’s work they can be found at www.buyanet.ca or I would love to take an evening and share my pictures and stories with any of you or with groups who may be interested. For me, this has been a nursing experience of a career!”
Kathy McPhail
Chief Executive Officer
Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba Inc.
Museum of Health Care Display Supports Buy-A-Net’s Work
Kingston, ON
In support of World Malaria Day, the Museum of Health Care at Kingston’s special historical display described the dangers Canadians once faced from malaria and the misconceptions around its cause. In the early 1800s, malaria was blamed on bad smelling air as found in swamps and marshes, not on mosquitoes.
Mounted at Buy-A-Net’s 2009 World Malaria Dayevent on 24 April, the Museum’s exhibit “The NET Result: MalariaPrevention in Uganda”explained the details of malarial infection and its transmission. It also informed visitors about current malaria prevention strategies and tools such as bed nets used by healthcare workers in Uganda.
Canada has not been immune to the ravages of malaria. From the early 1800s there aremany reports of Eastern Ontario settlers suffering from the disease. As museum curator Paul Robertson described, “During construction of the Rideau Canal (1826-1831) when hundreds of canal builders and their families moved to the area, many became infected with ‘swamp fever’ during the’sickly season’ in the late summer. At least 500 people died from malaria during that period.”
Paul Robertson, Museum of Health Care at Kingston
BUY-A-NET Hosts a Day of Commemoration in Kingston
Public Reception, Art Show and Concert Highlight World Malaria Day’s Activities
Kingston, ON
Debra Lefebvre, Founder, BUY-A-NET Malaria Prevention Group (BAN), today announced that The Renaissance Hall, located at 285 Queen Street, will be home to the organization’s day-long recognition of World Malaria Day, on Friday, April 24th.
A public reception will be held from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm that will feature guest speakers including Senator Mobina Jaffer, Mayor Harvey Rosen and members of the “Kids Talking to Kids about Malaria” Team (speakers range in ages from 10 yrs – 13 yrs) that have been speaking at different schools around the Kingston area. The afternoon will be rounded out by a performance by Kington’s own Dragon Drummer Troupe, a group of 80 youth drummers. The organization will also pay tribute to the area secondary schools that have taken part in BAN’s inaugural “Spring For Nets” campaign.
Later that evening from 7:00 – 10:00 pm, the public is invited to the official opening of artist Heather Haynes’ new travelling exhibit, “Worlds Collide”. The exhibit, which will be officially unveiled on Parliament Hill on April 22nd at a reception in honour of BUY-A-NET hosted by The Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P. (Kingston and the Islands), was inspired by Haynes’ recent travels to Uganda with BUY-A-NET. “Worlds Collide”, which is also making stops in Toronto (Envers Chapin Gallery, May), Gananoque (Fire Hall Theatre, June) and Montreal (Avenue Art Gallery, September), will help to raise awareness about malaria and the devastation it leaves in its path in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“It was my distinct pleasure to travel with Heather to Uganda last year,” said Lefebvre. “I am very pleased that Heather has created this beautiful collection as a poignant memory of her experience. I think people will be drawn into the paintings and moved by their message.”
“We toured Ugandan villages for 10 days, handing out treated bed nets, educating people about malaria prevention, checking the status of ‘netted’ villages and learning a lot about the beautiful people of Uganda – and ultimately, learning a lot about ourselves,” said Haynes. “This trip was so inspiring to me that I wanted to celebrate the work that BUY-A-NET does and share my experience with as many people as possible. The best way for me to do this is through my art. It is my hope that this group of 30 paintings will shine a light on the issues of malaria and malaria prevention.”
Immediately following the art opening, local band, My Friend Andy will perform songs off their latest CD “Songs from the Middle”, in the Living Room (the lower level of the Renaissance Hall). Tickets are $6 (the price of a bed net) and are available at the door. All proceeds go to BUY-A-NET Malaria Prevention Group.
World Malaria Day was established by the World Health Organization in March 2008. This international day helps to raise awareness of malaria, a disease which kills up to 3 million people and affects up to 500 million people annually. It serves as a reminder that as a global community, all people have a responsibility to stop malaria.
BUY-A-NET hosted the first event in Canada in support of World Malaria Day. The event was held in Kingston, on April 25th, 2008.
Malaria is the number one killer of children in Africa, taking the life of one child every thirty seconds. It is a highly preventable, 100% treatable disease that kills more people than HIV/AIDS. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and can easily be prevented with the proper use of a $6.00 insecticide-treated bed net.
Launched in 2004, BUY-A-NET Malaria Prevention Group is Canada’s first citizen-driven, charitable organization that seeks to prevent deaths from malaria in Africa, one country at a time. The nation of Uganda was chosen as the first target country of the campaign, whose slogan – 6 Bucks, BUY-A-NET, Save a life – provides advocacy and awareness about malaria, as well as raises much needed funds for the procurement of long-lasting, insecticide treated bed nets and anti-malaria medicine. In partnership with community-based groups, the nets are distributed free of charge, one village at a time. To date, BUY-A-NET has protected over 250,000 people with bed nets. A donation of $6.00 will purchase a long lasting insecticide treated net and for a donation of $350.00, an entire African village can be netted.
For more information contact:
Joanne Langlois
Media Consultant
BUY-A-NET Malaria Prevention Group
613-542-1264 or 613-540-1202
buyanet@buyanet.ca
www.buyanet.ca
To preview the art collection, please visit www.heatherhaynes.com
