There has been a reduction in the cases of malaria in two Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) communities following the successful implementation of a project funded by two Canadian Rotary clubs and the Rotary Club of Demerara, in collaboration with the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF) and in consultation with the Ministry of Health.
According to information received from President of the NADF, Ashton Simon, the project was conducted between August 2004 and July last year. Statistics gathered over the project period have revealed that in Paramakatoi where the population is some 1,954 people, there were 816 positive cases of malaria at the end of July 2003. By the end of March 2007, there were only seven positive cases. In the second community, Taruka, where the population is just 151 people, there were 31 positive cases in 2005 and just one at the end of June 2007.
According to information received, the project was set up to distribute treated bed and hammock nets and encourage their use; to provide education and training; discourage an environment that lends to mosquitoes breeding; urge that residents have regular health checks and that those who were infected completed their treatment.
It was noted that the project was originally set to target Paramakatoi only. However, given that the Ministry of Health through the Global Fund had already distributed some nets at Paramakatoi, it was recommended that Taruka, a small village some eight hours away, be included.
Over the project period it was found that the malaria infection rate dropped significantly. This was as a result of a number of factors, including educational sessions being held and educational posters being posted in the communities; over 1,000 bed and hammock nets being distributed and the establishment of the Paramakatoi and Taruka Malaria Control committees and Malaria Control Committees being set up in schools.
At the community level, quarterly weeding and area cleaning programmes have been introduced and all possible stagnant water receptacles destroyed. Proper waste disposal has been stepped up and pit latrines are being treated with ashes to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
There are ongoing education programmes specifically targeting miners and a policy has been implemented wherein every traveller entering the villages must submit to a malaria smear test.
Additionally the mosquito nets being used are treated every six months.
In order to keep the level of malaria infection down the Taruka and Paramakatoi Malaria Control committees are expected to continue the programme through educational sessions, continuing to smear and monitor travellers, working with schools, and maintaining hygienic environmental practices throughout the communities.
The NADF said there was a possibility that the activities could be extended to other communities in Region Eight as well as other regions in Guyana. It also said that there could be similar interventions in the areas of potable water, income generation, health and hygiene.
A Rotary International team is expected to visit some time this year to do an assessment and plan for the extended working initiatives.
Malaria is one of the world’s most common and serious tropical diseases; the parasite is transmitted from human to human by the anopheles mosquito. Malaria is not isolated to any area but enjoys the status as a global epidemic.
Each year, malaria causes at least one million deaths and an additional 300 to 500 million clinical cases, the majority of which occur in the world’s poorest countries.
High-risk groups include children, senior citizens, pregnant women, miners, travelers, refugees, displaced persons, and laborers entering endemic areas.
NADF noted that Guyana has ongoing programmes designed to control and eradicate malaria. The efforts to contain this disease has taken many forms. Although results sometimes show a downward spiral in infections, malaria has never been totally eradicated and has frequently made a come back, particularly in the hinterland areas. The presence of malaria creates a negative environment for social and economic development.
Due to logistical and financial ramifications, some communities have been difficult to access and so, have been experiencing the worst effects of malaria.
Paramakatoi and Taruka are two communities that can only be accessed by plane or by walking.
