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FROM THE FIELD

Kitgum Malaria Pilot Project - World Malaria Day
24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT
 Source: Lutheran World Federation (LWF) - Switzerland (Department for World Service)
LWF World Service Uganda Program Unit

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Irene, husband Michael & baby Gibse benefit from the Kitgum Malaria Pilot Project.
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Irene, husband Michael & baby Gibse benefit from the Kitgum Malaria Pilot Project.
LWF-World Service Uganda

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Kitgum Malaria Pilot Project April 2009

LWF World Service Works with Families in Northern Uganda

One month old Gibse Aloyo sleeps quietly. Her mother, Irene, gazing down at her daughter says, "During my pregnancy I got malaria. When I went for treatment I was told about malaria and how it could endanger my baby. The Village Health Teams added to my knowledge and I wanted [to sleep with] a net." Malaria is the number one cause of illness and death in northern Uganda. As a lactating woman and a child under the age of five, Irene and Gibse are especially at risk of life threatening complications due to malarial infections.

Hellen Amono, the Reproductive Health Focal Person in the Kitgum district states, "Malaria during pregnancy is the worst killer disease, often causing miscarriages in the early stages of pregnancy. It causes premature births, and still births. Pregnancy is such a joy and then to be faced with a lost pregnancy due to a preventable cause like malaria is heartbreaking."

Irene and her husband Michael are participants in the Kitgum Malaria Pilot Project. They participated in the initial baseline survey conducted by LWF and Irene was selected to receive a Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLITN). Because family size nets were distributed, both Irene and Michael slept under the net throughout the rest of her pregnancy and avoided any further malaria sickness. Michael sights an added benefit, "The net also protects us from spiders and scorpions while we are sleeping."

Both Irene and Michael had suffered from multiple bouts of malaria in the past year. Michael farms during the rainy season to provide food and an income for his family. During the rest of the year he works in construction and as a bricklayer. "I had malaria twice last year, in April and then again in June. Both times I was down sick for two weeks. Because I was unable to work we were forced to sell our food stuffs to pay the hospital bill, we had no choice."

This family, like many others in northern Uganda, is transitioning from life in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp back to their village of origin. This post conflict population lacks adequate information and resources to prevent malaria or recognize the symptoms. The Lutheran World Federation Uganda Program is working closely with communities and district officials to increase the awareness on the cause, treatment and prevention of malaria.

The district Malaria Focal Person, Patrick Odong, feels the pilot has been very effective in joining the community in the fight against malaria, "Many people did not know the facts about malaria until the pilot project [began]. It has been a good program."

Preventing malaria lessens the burden of medical costs for the family allowing them to meet other basic household needs. Both Irene and Michael realize the prevention of malaria will help the family to be healthier and more secure as they continue with the resettling process. This young family is hopeful peace will hold and Gibse will be able to grow up in the village.

Gibse stirs and opens her eyes. Soon she will want to eat, but not before her parents share their gratitude for the better health the LLITN has provided for their entire family.


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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