Let's help eliminate Malaria

Rotary winning Against Malaria

 

 

Rotary District 9790 International Service Chairman, Dr Bruce Anderson in addressing a joint meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Alexandra and yea last Wednesday night explained how Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) has made serious inroads into the control of Malaria in out near South East Asian neighbours.  In Particular  a 96% reduction in the incidence of malaria from 2006 to 2013.  It has been a massive effort by RAM in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, National Malaria Control Program and Local Authorities.  The campaign’s success  has mainly been due to the focus on simple, low cost and practical action that anyone can do.   The research into vaccines and vector (mosquito) control continues while the simple education programs in the field have focused on eliminating mosquito habitat and most of all not getting bitten by the mosquito.  The most effective tool is the mosquito net which can be delivered into the remotest village at minimal cost and each net lasts for a least three years protecting whole families while they sleep.  The most effective action is to cover-up and avoid being out-and-about at dawn and dusk when the mosquitos are most active.  Bruce said the community engagement and eduction program  has gained almost universal acceptance, again because the message is simple and the use of appropriate technology available everywhere - how hard is it to drain puddles and empty containers full of stagnate water?   None of this  would be possible without the support of the community and Rotary Clubs like Alexandra who have been active supporters of RAM for many years.   So some of your hard earned dollars that are spent on Rotary fund raising projects  go directly to RAM, thank you.  Bruce concluded by saying that at the current rate of adoption malaria will all but eliminated in the world within our lifetime.   After fielding a barrage of questions and a vote of thanks enthusiastically carried by acclamation, Rotary Club of Alexandra International Service Chairperson, Sandra Sinclair presented Bruce with a cheque, being the annual donation from Alexandra to Rotary Against Malaria.  Bruce also reminded the Rotarians and their guests that malaria is only one of the diseases carried by mosquitos and this year with all the surface water about he encouraged everyone to take precautions especially if travelling in areas when some of the more debilitating diseases are present - including international travel to tropical areas (malaria).