India (MNN) – Today is World Malaria Day. Per the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaria is defined as a “life-threatening disease caused by parasites”. These parasites are transmitted when a person is bitten by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms of Malaria typically appear 10-15 days after an infected bite and usually include a fever, headache, and chills. Once symptoms occur, a person has 24 hours to attain treatment; otherwise, the illness may become severe and even cause death.
Malaria Facts
The recent WHO’s world malaria report says that between 2015 to 2017 there were “no significant gains in reducing malaria cases”. In fact, in 2017 alone there were an estimated 219 million malaria-related cases. The cases spanned 87 countries with an estimated 435,000 malaria-related deaths. Children under the age of five made up 61 percent of these deaths (266,000) worldwide.
Kakinada, India (Photo courtesy of India Partners)
India was home to four percent of all malaria cases in 2017. However, India did report progress from 2016 to 2017 in reducing malaria-related cases. Out of the top 11 countries where about 70 percent of malaria cases and deaths occur globally, India was the only country to reduce its malaria cases in this specific time frame.
This year, on World Malaria Day, you can get involved and help prevent Malaria by teaming up with India Partners. India Partners’ vision is an India rich in hope, justice, and compassion. Part of accomplishing this is malaria prevention. Why? Because part of compassion means wanting others to be whole and healthy, and malaria prevention is key to that vision.
Impact in India
India Partners helps people in India prevent the transfer of Malaria by providing mosquito nets to families. These nets protect children and adults from mosquitoes while they sleep. It is an inexpensive way to prevent malaria and protect families from sickness and even death.
(Photo courtesy of India Partners)
“People may not be able to afford either the prevention or the long-lasting insecticide nets that we help to provide because it’s $10 for a net. When you’re working day-to-day and earning just a couple dollars, maybe working in the field, then you can’t afford $10 for a net,” Programs Coordinator with India Partners Donna Glass explains.
For families who do have members infected with malaria, this often means time off of work or school, provided the families can purchase anti-malaria medicine to heal. However, a net prevents this domino effect.
Glass says nets also provide a sense of relief from fear and anxiety for families just in the knowledge that their probability of getting malaria is greatly reduced. This also means families can rest well at night, knowing they’re likely not going to wake up with a mosquito bite which could drastically change their lives for the worse.
Be the Solution
“Prevention is so much more effective than curing people. If you can prevent an illness, then that’s where you need to step in before people get sick. And before people are missing work and losing money, not only from not getting wages but then there’s the cost of the care,” Glass says.
On World Malaria Day 2019, you can help people in India prevent the effects of Malaria by giving just $10 to provide a mosquito net. For the cost of a pizza, will you give someone the opportunity for a full life?
To donate a mosquito net, click here!
Header photo courtesy of India Partners.
