Day 19

A child suffering from malaria can be treated.

Malaria:

About little pests that spread a deadly disease

Probably no other insect has as many people on its conscience as the mosquito. As a carrier of malaria, it not only annoys people all over the world with its bites, but also causes over 700,000 deaths per year. The vast majority of these occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Bouts of fever, headaches and aching limbs are the first signs of the often fatal disease. Vomiting, shortness of breath and diarrhea are also common.

need

Health care

activity

Malaria treatments for children are provided

Measurable performance

Number of malaria treatments

Result

Decline in malaria deaths in the region

Systemically relevant impact

Improved health situation and higher chances of survival for children

background

Malaria is transmitted through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They breed in water holes and puddles. At dusk they swarm out to find food. There is currently no vaccine against malaria. But unlike diseases such as AIDS or tuberculosis, malaria can be treated with simple means. In Burkina Faso, one in five children dies before their fifth birthday. One main reason for the high mortality rate among children is the high level of poverty in Burkina Faso - many families simply cannot afford a visit to the doctor or medication.