Posted by Ray Chambers | Jul 7, 2009 | Tinyhttp://2mp.tw/1b | Comments
Health • Ikaram, Nigeria • Interventions • Millennium Development Goals • Pampaida, Nigeria
Nigerian Mosquito Net Deliveries Protect Millions from Malaria
Bed Nets Save Lives
In the effort to end malaria deaths, Nigeria is square one: it is Africa’s most populated country, and represents one quarter of the continent’s malaria burden. The climate and topography of this West African country support a prolific mosquito presence that transmits malaria unrelentingly throughout the year, leading to arguably the most virulent malaria environment on the planet.
When Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued the goal of ensuring universal access to malaria prevention tools by the end of 2010, with the ultimate goal of near-zero malaria deaths by 2015, Nigeria became a natural focal point. Nigeria requires just over 72 million mosquito nets to be in place by the end of 2010 in order to protect every man, woman and child from the disease. Success in Africa depends on success in Nigeria.
Developing and adhering to strategic net delivery campaigns is leading to the realization of that success. Recent mosquito net campaigns have pushed Nigeria towards the crucial 50 percent mark, as close to half of the population now has access to mosquito nets. As Nigeria is a union of 37 semi-autonomous states, distribution of key malaria prevention tools has not been possible without support at the local level.
Additionally, the full engagement of both Muslim and Christian leadership and infrastructure has positioned religious mechanisms as a vital lifeline in the distribution of resources. The Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), a mobilization of the religious sector to partner with the national government to combat malaria, was launched this spring. Co-chaired by the leading Muslim and Christian authorities in Nigeria - the Sultan of Sokoto and the Archbishop of Abuja, it serves as a model for far-reaching interaction.
The results of these partnerships and coordinated plans is already being realized. A mosquito net delivery campaign which began in May and will culminate in July will provide nearly six million nets to protect 12 million Nigerians in Kano state and Anambra state. As the first two million nets were delivered in Kano state, demand was overwhelmingly high, a clear indicator of the pervasive willingness to utilize these life-saving tools.
This massive infusion of resources is ensuring that in two of Nigeria’s ten most populated states, people are universally protected from the disease carrying mosquito. Sustained efforts are planned with state-by-state deliveries mapped out for each month until December 2010, when mosquito nets will have been delivered to all of Nigeria’s citizens.
The unified mobilization of stakeholders at all levels to implement these successful distribution campaigns reveals a landscape that is rapidly changing. Once malaria is no longer accepted as a hardship to be endured in perpetuity, and a plan is in place, saving lives becomes possible.
Nigeria has charted a methodical course for achieving the Secretary-General’s goal, and in doing so has simultaneously set the bar high for its neighbors in Africa, while laying the groundwork for a replication of this success.
Ray Chambers is the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Malaria and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise. He is based in New York.
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[...] Also, be sure to check out Ray’s guest blog post at the Millennium Villages Blog, entitled “Nigerian Mosquito Net Deliveries Protect Millions from Malaria“. [...]
Thank you for sharing with us the strategies Nigeria is taking to combat malaria.
While mass distribution of Mosquito nets is a good move to protect million of people against Malaria, the distribution should be well planned.
The government of Uganda last month announced the procurement of 17 million nets to supplement the earlier distributed 6 million nets. By this, it is hope that more than 30 million Ugandans will almost be covered at an average of two people per net.
Despite of the earlier distribution of 6 million net coupled with IRS, the cases related to malaria have remained stagnant for for more that three years.
It seems to me that adequate planning was not done to produce desired results. People were not adequately sensitized on the use, importance and care of the nets distributed. This resulted in the nets being miss used as it was reported that some nets were used for fishing, wedding gowns, goal post nets, curtains and some were not using the nets because they thought posed as a fire hazard especially in poorly planned and congested houses in rural areas while other never wanted them to get dirty.
These are the minor but important issues that need to be addressed by mass sensitization of the communities before, during and after the distribution of Nets. If some of these concerns and many other issues are not addresses, the mass distribution is likely not to deliver the desired results.
Read the Uganda’s story on mass distribution of nets and Joy for Children response that were both published in New Vision Uganda’s leading new paper: http://www.joyforchildren.org/news/all_Ugandans_to_get_free_mosquitoes.html
If the two countries, Nigeria and Uganda succeed to combat malaria using Mosquito nets, other countries on the continent will follow suit.
Your comments and opinion will be very important.
combating malaria calls for behaviour change in terms of hygiene and sanitation,sleeping manners.issues of mosquito net hang up shpould be intensively intervened so as to realise a change
uganda-soroti
In response to Mr. Moses’ comments regarding utilization issues, I fully agree with you that it is important to realize that the distribution of mosquito nets is but one step in ensuring that these nets are protecting lives. Well-coordinated distribution plans, in conjunction with the activation of effective partnerships, and the engagement of wide-reaching educational campaigns are all essential. We can point to parts of Africa that have already realized success in reducing the incidence of malaria for evidence to this effect.
The island of Zanzibar, off the Tanzanian coast, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are benefiting from the employment of such strategies. Zanzibar has virtually ended deaths from malaria and in Rwanda, malaria deaths have decreased by 64 percent. In Ethiopia, the number of people who die from malaria has been halved in just three years through the distribution of nearly 20 million insecticide-treated bed nets and widespread use of antimalaria drugs. Success is clearly possible, and while challenges remain considerable, I applaud Uganda’s decision to procure and distribute 17 million nets over the next 17 months.
One of the most important factors is a saturation of nets within a geographic area to ensure universal protection and thus, the inability of the disease to spread. This universal coverage also instills an atmosphere of familiarity with the product, and encourages utilization.
As you rightly highlight, a robust communications plan before, during, and after the net distribution is perhaps as important as the delivery itself. Only properly used nets can save lives. Radio and newspaper announcements can inform residents of upcoming net deliveries. Local leaders, health care providers, and religious leaders should encourage the proper utilization of nets.
A point I’d like to stress, though, is that while the misuse of nets has certainly happened, it is the exception rather than the rule; millions of families are sleeping under their nets every night across sub-Saharan Africa – including in Nigeria. However, you are completely correct that this positive behavior can be reinforced by a strong communications campaign emphasizing the purpose and importance of the mosquito net. Finally, follow-up visits should be performed to ensure that the nets are properly hung and to address any additional concerns or questions.
These strategies will vary from country to country; there is no universal plan for success. However, as multiple stakeholders are engaged in these auxiliary activities, responsibility for a coordinated educational effort is shared among multiple partners. Local community health workers, religious groups, international organizations, and local NGOs all have unique abilities disseminate utilization messages at the local level. The United Nations Secretary-General’s ultimate goal, of a world without malaria deaths by 2015 can only be realized if the supplemental efforts to affect behavior change work in concert with effective delivery strategies.
Malaria is one of the major public health challenges undermining development in the poorest countries in the world. Distributing nets can help prevent malaria, however this is only a short term plan. I believe that educating the people about sanitation and prevention is the best way to eradicate or prevent the disease.
Apparently, a grassroot from Ghana called Volunteer Partnership for West Africa (VPWA) has instituted an annual month long awareness campaign, entitled Kick Malaria Out (KMO), designed to create much-needed awareness on
(1) the rate at which Malaria is killing the West African population, especially children and pregnant women and
(2) measures to prevent and eradicate, if not minimize, the Malaria disease within the community with a special emphasis on educating the population on the need to avoid creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Campaign KMO will run from August 20 2009 thru September 20 2009 but the outreach by the combined volunteers is for first two weeks, in the following countries: Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, & Liberia.
Campaign KMO will start in Ghana with Volunteers from all over the world, including medical professionals, students, educators and various professions.
I am one of the volunteers of VPWA and we are asking every individual of this planet to support our campaign. By educating your neighbors and community, most especially the little ones, about malaria can make a big impact. Eevery small thing we do can make a huge difference. Let us all fight for a good cause!
Please visit our website http://kmo2009.vpwa.org/
or you may contact us at:
Phone: 233243340112
Email: kmo2009@vpwa.org
HI! My name is Andrew, I attended the Max7 workshop in July with Mr Norbert. We talked much about the Ministry, I’m now leading the CBO called Hekima Community Trust, supporting Widows and Elders who takes care Orphans and Most Vulnerable Children. Having 15 adults and 14 Children with us in my org.
One of the problem these widows and Elders are facing is Malaria, as you all know about its effects.
As you askerd every individual of this planet to support your (our)campaign. By educating neighbors and community, most especially the little ones, about malaria can make a big impact.And I agree with you that every small thing we do makes a huge difference. I’m ready to fight for a good cause!
PLease, may I know how can my organization can be supported in order to support our community and Children?
Thanks so much, hope to be helped.
Andrew MICHAEL MWASELELA
MOROGORO,TANZANIA