Combating Malaria

The prevention of mortality, and a reduction in morbidity and social and economic loss caused by malaria through a progressive improvement and strengthening of local and national capabilities in malaria control.”
Malaria is one of the biggest killers in the world today, attacking some of our most vulnerable communities and contributing significantly to the untold suffering and sustained poverty of more than forty per cent (40%) of the world’s population.
The malaria parasite is carried by the Anopheles mosquito which is a tough adversary.
Much funding worldwide has been provided for research into the development of vaccines and the establishment of malaria control programmes.
One of the best ways of preventing malaria is to avoid coming in contact with mosquitoes. This can be achieved by sleeping under a treated mosquito net. Treated bed nets have been shown to be over 70% effective in reducing the incidence of malaria in those areas in which they are able to be used.

Rotary in Australia developed the “Adopt a Village” programme in 2004, initially for PNG but extended it to cover the Solomon Islands in 2005.
Donors could “Adopt a Village” , a small village may cost $1,000, a medium size village may cost $2,000 and a large village may cost $3,000. This donation allowed every man, woman and child in your adopted village the opportunity to sleep under a Life SavingTreated Bed net each night.
Its success in PNG has resulted in some areas of the country becoming virtually free of the disease.
In the Western and Choiseul Provinces of the Solomon Islands where a Rotary International Grants were focused, a reduction in the incidence of malaria occurred from about 330 cases per 1,000 head of population per year to less than 80 cases per 1,000 per year,
It relies heavily on the cooperation of local National Health Departments and the input of Rotarians from both around Australia and within local communities.

Malaria puts one third of the world's population at risk
Malaria occurs in Africa, Middle East, Asia, East and West Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Central and South America. The "Malaria Band" as highlighted in red on the map.


Malaria is caused by a parasite, spread from person to person by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
There are four strains of Malaria that affects humans:-
1) Vivax is by far the most common, typically reocurring regularly but is rarely life threatening
2) Falciparum, which is spreading worldwide and becoming increasingly common, is the most dangerous. It can cause death within 48 hours of first symptoms.
The other two strains are relatively rare
Malaria places a tremendous burden on the health of those living in malarious areas. Gobally, there are approximately 1.5 - 2.7 million malaria deaths each year, most of which are children under five years and pregnant women.
In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated one million deaths and over 200 million episodes of malaria occur each year.
One third of the world's population is at risk.

Insecticide treated bed nets as shown are the most effective method of controlling the spread of malaria

2000 troops who served in East TImor, had recurrence of malaria after returning home.
The malaria parasite is very clever. It has developed resistance to many anti-malarial drugs. Continuing research to develop new drugs is vital.
Despite years of effort, the parasite has so far resisted all efforts to produce an effective vaccine. The research must continue.
The anopheles mosquito is developing resistance to insecticides, because of the dangers to the food chain, the use of DDT has been severely restricted. Therfore the search for new insecticides is critical.
R.A.M. (Australia) is giving priority to providing bednets for villages in PNG, the Solomons, Timor Leste and other Pacific countries. Treated bednets kill mosquitos on contact and prevent mosquito bits.

To "Adopt a Village" forward your cheque to made payable to Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Fund (R.A.M.) (tax deductabiltiy is available), forward cheques to:- PDG Richmond Manyweathers. PO Box 198 Caringbah NSW 1495

Strategies towards the control of malaria

• Education - to teach awareness and understanding of the symptoms and thus help in the prevention of malaria for people such as medical personnel and travellers in affecteda areas
  
• Bed Nets - To help in the supply and districbution of insecticide treated bed nets.
  
• Microscopes - Distribution of microscopes and trained microscopists for accurate diagnosis.
  
• Breading Grounds - Train local people to reduce pools of water, streams, water containers, etc. where mosquitos breed.
  
• Dip Sticks - Very useful where microscopy is not available. Helpful for travellers and long stay expatriates. Accurate diagnosis in 5 minutes.
  
• Research - New treatment, new insecticides, perhaps a vaccine to prevent malaria. Donations towars research appreciated.

Symptoms of flu like illnesses after being in malaria area demand a blood test or dipstick to exclude malaria

"IF YOU DON'T GET BITTEN - YOU DON'T GET MALARIA"

Rotary clubs have been involved in R.A.M. projects worldwide since 1990.
Malaria remains arguably the most dangerous infection in the world today
The World Health Organisation has invited RAM to join their "Roll Back Malaria" global partnership.
The Rotary Foundation has provided major financial funding to assist R.A.M. projects, especially in South West Pacific.
Other R.A.M. projects support research into new drugs and new methods of mosquito control but most importantly, continued research for an effective vaccine.
R.A.M. has already made available many thousands of dollars in research grants into "the treatment and prevention of Malaria" to research institutions such as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the Australian National University
Cooperation has been established with the Australian Army's Malaria Research Unit.
In addition, the R.A.M. Scienctific Committee has established liks with major malaria researchers in Austraalia and overseas. They are availalble to advise Rotary clubs on suggested projects if required.
Clubs are invited to support control programs in all malaria endemic countries. The protection afforded by chemically impregnated bed nets appear to be the most effective way of reducing the incidence of the disease among local populations. The national RAM committee can assist clubs in implementing such valuable humanitarian projects.

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