Communities Embrace Fight Against Malaria, AIDS

Efforts to combat two most deadly infections continued over the week-end in Mambanda, Bonaberi, with free Malaria and HIV/AIDS screenings and distribution of malaria drugs,.

Efforts to combat two most deadly infections continued over the week-end in Mambanda, Bonaberi, with free Malaria and HIV/AIDS screenings and distribution of malaria drugs,.

The campaign seemed a success going by the turnout of inhabitants who were eager to know their status and get the drugs. Initially targeting mostly children of at most five years of age and pregnant women, the campaign witnessed the participation of people of all age groups.

Most screened for the two infections. Each stage was marked by sensitisation geared towards eliminating stigmatisation, risky attitudes like multiple sex partners, unprotected sexual relationships and dirty environment, amongst others. They were encouraged to sleep under a treated mosquito bed net, get rid of stagnant water in and around their compounds, put up screened windows and doors and avoid mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Besides abstinence, regular screening and early medical consultation were prescribed.

According to the Communication Officer of the organising association, Coalition of Business Community against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CCASIDA), Christian Ambassa, the focus was on all inhabitants of the community. But they could not reach all due to insufficient medical equipment. Considering the high turnout in communities like Mambanda and Sodiko in Bonaberi, Dikolo in Bali, and refugees, where it has twice been, there is yet need for another round. On the effectiveness of the exercise, he pointed out that malaria has dropped from 40 per cent to about 30 per cent in the communities while AIDS reduced to about 1.3 per cent compared to 4.3 per cent prevalence during the first round owed to sensitisation, free distribution of drugs and fumigation of homes.

Njuka Mounira, a pregnant woman, attributed her motivation for the screening to avoid the stigma she finds common against infected persons who discovered they had AIDS late. On her part, Eleonord Njolle Ngando thanked the effort which saves the FCFA 15,000 she spent quarterly in the hospital to run malaria tests for her baby.

The campaign trail which targets slum quarters and squatter residents in the economic capital, will next visit Bonamikano and Nkondo communities, where distribution of bed nets and fumigated homes will be done for free.

On the sites were health experts from the Ministry of Public Health, Partec Laboratory working in collaboration with the CCASIDA, who carry out the project with the community.