La Solidaridad

Malaria can be prevented by destroying all the breeding sites of these mosquitoes. Dirty and still waters are perfect breeding centers for mosquitoes. Malaria can also be prevented by using nets on windows and doors so that mosquitoes can not come in contact with human beings. The use of mosquitos’ bed nets is one of the more effective means of preventing malaria infections.

In Tanzania the government issues vouchers to help pregnant women obtain bed nets for very low rates. Women and young children under the age of five are the ones in the biggest danger.

Mosquito spray, repellent and coils are also used to prevent infection but these are not very affordable to many people, especially in rural areas where more than half of the population live on less than 2 USD per day

The big challenge in fighting malaria is mosquitoes which have grown resistant to chloroquine, then SP. Malaria parasites are winning this battle and I’m sure they have a plan to win but they may have finally met their match in ACT or artemisinin-based combination therapy.

The battle is on. It’s now up to me and you to play our role and put our strength together in the fight against malaria and many other diseases. This battle needs both our initiatives. Malaria is for real, not an issue or a dream, it’s a reality to many of us, and especially those who can not afford to treat or prevent it themselves. Commitment is essential to this fight, be it use of the existing channels or avenues that can bring people together and share the same ideas and enthusiasm.

This is because the fight against malaria just at the level of government doesn’t help in total eradication; implementation of the fight has to also be taken by people themselves. I will surely take sports and cultural activities as a starting point on the positive gatherings that can have people discuss ways and initiatives on how they can be part of this battle. Involvement of the community worked in Jambiani, I’m sure it will work in many other places.

Pan African youth delegates from Tanzania have declared to be part of this huge battle against malaria, its no longer safe to wait for it to turn to even a big disaster to start fighting. All Pan African youth leaders have to be ready as well. We make a lot of difference in our communities and our lives in a number of ways by the things we do. Yet there are still so many battles to be fought. This is just one more battles, albeit a crucial one. We have no choice but to put in our lists of battles and do something about it or it will keep defeating us. If that happens, the consequences will be devastating.

Written by Angela Damas, Tanzanian Pan African Youth leader

All information collected during field visit from different sources, including human intuition. Angela is also an active TIG member and was Miss Tanzania 2002/2003. You can check her profile here. http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/angeladamas. (This article was published with permission from the author.)