A new day has begun for thousands of people living with HIV,
orphans and vulnerable children since they received mosquito
nets under the World Swim for Malaria donation by Zimbabwe Red
Cross Society in Hwange district, about 900 kilometres south-west
of the capital, Harare.
The distribution is a result of the partnership between the
International Federation and a London-based charitable Foundation,
World Swim for Malaria (WSM) to provide life-saving, long-lasting
insecticidal nets (LLIN) to families in 17 communities in nine
East and Southern Africa countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
As news of the mosquito nets distribution filtered through the
communities in Hwange district, people started heading to the
Chinotimba Old Peoples’ Home, where the Zimbabwe Red Cross
started the distribution as early as 8am. The attendance was
overwhelming in this area which lies adjacent to one of the
Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, on the giant Zambezi
River.
“Many people in this area have suffered from malaria at
one time or another. Hwange is a high malaria zone where cases
of malaria are reported throughout the year, including the winter
season,” says Sibanda, the Zimbabwe Red Cross official.
More than 4,000 people attended the donation of the nets to
the orphans and people living with HIV. A total of 1,500 nets
were handed out to the beneficiaries. The donation brought hope
to hundreds of people living with HIV and to orphans who constantly
live in fear of catch malaria.
Bernard Moyo, one of the beneficiaries, could not hide his joy
after collecting his net as he told his story. “I was
tested for HIV three years ago at a New Start Center and I was
found positive. I am now under the Zimbabwe Red Cross home-based
care programme,” says Bernard. “I am very happy
to receive a mosquito net. It will go a long way in reducing
mosquito bites, which reduces my chances of suffering from malaria,”
he added.
It was also all smiles for Dorothy Kapuya, 67 years old, who
lives in Chinotimba Township and looks after her 27-year-old
son. Her son is also currently under the Red Cross home-based
care programme. “Since my son’s health deteriorated,
I was always concerned that he might catch malaria, and then
his health was going to be in danger. With this donation, we
can sleep easily and safely under the mosquito nets. Malaria
is very deadly,” she explained.
Before the distribution started, the Zimbabwe Red Cross and
Ministry of Health officers organized health education talks
to teach communities malaria control and prevention and encourage
people to buy mosquito nets, especially those who were not part
of the programme. Other preventative methods, such as wearing
protective, long-sleeved clothing during the night and spraying
were also emphasized. The communities also learnt about the
signs and symptoms of malaria and the importance of seeking
treatment very early on.
Though not everyone could receive the nets, the donation marked
a turning point. There is now high demand for nets in Hwange
as other community members are asking for them.
According to a Ministry of Health official, malaria cases were
reported all year round in Victoria Falls. Though the country
had adequate drugs to treat malaria, the ministry official believes
prevention is more effective than cure. “A total of 650
cases were diagnosed with clinical malaria in June while 500
cases were reported in July,” said Sister Lunga, who is
in charge of the Chinotmba Clinic.
World Swim for Malaria, a simple grassroots initiative, took
place between December 2005 and June 2006. A quarter of a million
people in more than 150 countries swam, splashed, had fun and
raised funds in what was the world’s largest-ever participatory
swim. Who would have thought that such an initiative would one
day touch the lives of thousands of people in areas as remote
as Hwange and Mount Darwin, north-east of Zimbabwe, where another
distribution of 1,500 nets took place.
The distribution there was attended by Ministry of Health and
Child Welfare officials, community leaders, and representatives
from the National AIDS council, the Department of Social Welfare,
support groups and theatre groups. Soon after the demonstration,
the volunteers made a follow-up visit to the homes of those
who had received the nets to ensure that the nets were properly
hung and to assist the elderly to hang the nets.
Officials here are also planning to complement this Red Cross/World
Swim for Malaria initiative by carrying out a campaign before
the start of the rainy season to promote malaria prevention
initiatives and ensure proper usage of the nets.
But for now, as the water thunders from the deep gorge of the
falls and as the mosquitoes buzz in the warm and humid nights
of the Zambezi Valley, people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable
children can enjoy serene, easy and safe nights.
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| Receiving
bed nets with a smile. Bed nets significantly reduce the
risk of being bitten by mosquitos, which can be fatal.
(p14577) |
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Testing
out the bed nets. People living with HIV, orphans and
vulnerable children can enjoy serene, easy and safe nights.
(p14578)
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| The
bed net distribution in full swing. A total of 1,500 nets
were handed out to the beneficiaries. A member of the
Zimbabwe Red Cross hands out a bed net. (p14576) |
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