Senator Saves Lives in Uganda on World Malaria Day
In recognition of World Malaria Day, April 25th, Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer participated in a bed net distribution through Buy-a-Net’s in-country partner, Wentz Medical Centre, located in Ggaba, Kampala. Hundreds of bed nets were distributed to women and children in Katoogo Village, near the site of Buy-a-Net’s inaugural bed net distribution in spring 2006. “It is an honour to have Senator Jaffer in Uganda with Buy-a-Net to recognize World Malaria Day,” said Gail Fones, RN, Board Chair. “The partnership with Wentz Medical Centre has been very successful; the volunteer community health workers who were trained in 2006 continue to volunteer. The program is sustainable, and there is so much pride in the women when they know they have helped to improve the health of their children, and their neighbour’s children.”
Endorsed by the World Health Organization, World Malaria Day calls upon all levels of Canadian government, private foundations, religious institutions, volunteer groups and individuals to support the fight to end malaria.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2012 – “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria”, marks a decisive juncture in the history of malaria control. Whether the malaria map will continue to shrink as it has over the last 10 years, or be reclaimed by the malaria parasites, depends to a great extent on the resources that will be invested in malaria control efforts in the coming years.
The fight against malaria seems endless, but for all who work to control this preventable disease, the results are clear and display the full impact of donor support:
1. In Africa, malaria deaths have been cut by one third over the last decade; outside of Africa 35 of the 53 countries affected by malaria, have reduced cases by 50% in the same time period.
2. In countries where access to malaria control interventions has improved, overall child mortality rates have fallen by approximately 20%, which is an impressive achievement. However these gains are fragile and easily reversed unless malaria continues to be a priority
Since 2004, Buy-a-Net has recognized that this fight does indeed belong to all global citizens. The program has both educated about malaria, and provided life saving bed nets and anti-malaria medicines to families in Uganda.
Continuing investment in malaria control now will propel malaria-endemic countries along the path of success in achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, particularly those that improve child survival and maternal health, eradicate extreme poverty and expand access to education. All of which are directly impacted by malaria.
Buy-a-Net is grateful to our sponsors for world Malaria Day:
