In Gabú, Guinea-Bissau, a small village nestled in the heart of West Africa, a grandmother named N’beta hesitated. Her six-month-old grandson, Seco, was healthy and full of life, so why would he need medicine? But community health workers Jamilia and Amadu gently explained to her that the medicine wasn’t for an illness, but for protection against a deadly threat – malaria.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is responsible for over 400,000 deaths every year, mostly among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Gabú, where the rainy season brings an increase in mosquito activity, the risk of malaria is even higher. That’s why the community health workers were going door to door, urging families to participate in a seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign.
N’beta listened intently as Jamilia and Amadu explained that the medicine being distributed was a combination of two drugs – sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine – that would protect children from malaria for up to four months. The campaign, supported by the World Health Organization and other partners, was specifically designed to target children under five years old, who are most vulnerable to the disease.
At first, N’beta was hesitant. She had never heard of this type of prevention before and was worried about giving her grandson medicine when he wasn’t sick. But Jamilia and Amadu patiently answered all her questions and reassured her that the medicine was safe and effective. They also explained that it was important to give the medicine to Seco every month during the rainy season to ensure maximum protection.
Finally, N’beta agreed to participate in the campaign and received the first dose of medicine for Seco. She was relieved to know that she was taking a proactive step to protect her grandson from malaria. As she watched Jamilia and Amadu go from house to house, she realized that she wasn’t the only one who had hesitated. Many other mothers and grandmothers in the village had also been unsure about the campaign, but after hearing the explanation and seeing the positive results, they were now eager to participate.
The community health workers had been trained to not only distribute the medicine but also to educate families about the importance of malaria prevention. They explained that the medicine worked by killing the malaria parasites in the blood before they could cause any harm. They also emphasized the importance of using mosquito nets and removing standing water, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
As the campaign continued, the results were astounding. The number of malaria cases in Gabú decreased significantly, and there were no reported deaths among children under five. N’beta was overjoyed to see her grandson healthy and free from the threat of malaria. She was grateful to Jamilia and Amadu for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the success of the campaign.
The seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign in Gabú is just one example of how community health workers are making a positive impact in the fight against malaria. By working closely with families and providing them with the necessary tools and information, they are helping to save lives and create a healthier future for their communities.
But the fight against malaria is far from over. Millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa are still at risk, and it is crucial to continue efforts to prevent and treat this deadly disease. Governments, organizations, and individuals must come together to support initiatives like the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign and ensure that every child has access to life-saving prevention measures.
As for N’beta and Seco, they are now advocates for malaria prevention in their village. N’beta proudly tells other mothers and grandmothers about her experience with the campaign and encourages them to participate. She knows firsthand the importance of taking action to protect our children from malaria, and she is grateful for the opportunity to do so.
In Gabú, Guinea-Bissau, a grandmother named N’beta hesitated, but with the help of community health workers, she made the right decision. Now, her grandson Seco can grow up healthy and strong, free from the threat of malaria. Let us all follow in their footsteps and take action to protect our children from this deadly disease.
