By Justin Douglass, World Vision Mali
In Mali, sleeping without the protection of an insecticide-treated mosquito net is like playing Russian roulette—it’s a lethal game of chance. It’s a game people don’t want to play, but most don’t have a choice. They are forced, by their poverty, to gamble with their lives and the lives of their children, often facing the daunting decision between buying food and other “luxuries,” like mosquito nets.
Caption: Mamdou, pictured here with his dad, Seydou Kane, was fortunate that there were healthcare facilities nearby where he lives with trained doctors and medicine. According to the World Health Organization, there is only one doctor and two nurses for every 10,000 people in Mali (as compared to 27 doctors and 98 nurses for every 10,000 people in the United States).If they choose to sleep unprotected, it’s not a matter of if they get Malaria, but when.
And, once they are sick, the second round of roulette begins: will they make it to the clinic on time? Will the clinic have doctors, nurses and medicine to help them?
In Mali, malaria is a leading cause of death for children. Nearly every family has been affected, in one way or another. The scars of the sickness are seen on the faces of those affected and on the earth, where freshly dug graves are prepared.
In a small village, Seydou, the father of seven, noticed that his son, Mamadou, was sick. He was vomiting, sweating, and suffering with diarrhea.
Seydou tried to try to take action the best way he knew – through traditional medicine.
He learned the traditional practices from his parents. But, as he was preparing the mixture of ash from mango tree bark mixed and soap his son lost consciousness.
Seydou despaired. His wife wept. He tried to speak words of hope. He believed God would do something.
They decided that although child was unconscious, they would still wash him with the traditional solution.
After an hour and a half, he regained conscientiousness but was still very sick.
The following morning, Seydou brought Mamadou to the health center where he was treated with intravenous drips. He recovered some strength and was discharged with malaria tablets.
This was a narrow miss. Mamdou survived this round. Next time, he might not be so lucky.
Mamdou’s family only has two mosquito nets for nine people. Seydou is unemployed. He cannot afford another mosquito net. Treated mosquito nets cost between $12 and $18 in Mali, depending on the size.
In Mali, it is estimated that only 27 percent of children under the age of five sleep under an insecticide treated nets.
World Vision is helping families combat malaria across Mali, sponsored children are provided bed nets.
World Vision also funds radio stations to broadcast messages about malaria, and has trained volunteers who serve as community educators. On market day, these people talk about how to prevent malaria to shoppers.
