MALARIA

I'm going to take some time and talk about how horrible malaria is and how preventable it is to eradicate.  Malaria is the #1 killer of children and pregnant women in Africa.  It's completely preventable because the virus is passed through only a certain type of pregnant female mosquito and it is not a long living virus.  If we can stop the spread and let the disease die, it will no longer be an epidemic.  This has already been accomplished in the USA.

The governments and NGOs in Senegal are currently doing a great job battling malaria.  There has been a widespread distribution of mosquito nets as well as malaria medication.  The medication for malaria is extremely subsidized and widely available at health huts and post de santes.  Transportation is often a problem, however, especially in the bush.  People also tend to wait to see if it will pass, which makes them sicker and the medication becomes more expensive.

So, you ask, what is the Peace Corps doing to help stop this horrible horrible disease?  One of the most basic things we can do are net tournees, in which we educate on the importance of using mosquito nets and how to take care of them (ie sewing up holes, how to wash them without ruining the chemicals, where to dry them).  we also talk about the importance of early treatment; not only for monetary reasons but health reasons as well.

As trainees we do not have the resources or language skills to fully communicate, but my language class was able to do a mini net tournee with our training families.  Here are some pics!!!