10,000 net donation could go a long way to help prevent malaria locally
The bed nets will be distributed to low-income and vulnerable households.
The greater Hoedspruit community has been donated 10,000 long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for distribution to vulnerable households in attempt to curb malaria cases locally.
The Hoedspruit Malaria Eradication Committee will work in conjunction with local partners in order to distribute the nets.
The Hoedspruit Malaria Eradication Committee was established following a meeting between members of the Department of Health and the private sector in Hoedspruit in November 2017.
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The generous donation came from the Princess of Africa Foundation and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, music legend, humanitarian and United Nations Children’s Fund Goodwill Ambassador for Malaria in Africa, assisted by Goodbye Malaria.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka lost a friend to the disease and has since added her powerful voice to the global fight against malaria.
These bed nets will be distributed to low-income and vulnerable households, which would otherwise have no means of malaria protection for the upcoming rainy season in January, February and March of 2018.
The nets, which are currently being cleared by customs, will be distributed in accordance with best practice through local partners such as Hlokomela in early in 2018.
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The nets act as a physical barrier between the mosquitoes and the sleeping person. Furthermore, the chemical in the nets repels mosquitoes, or kills them when they land on the net.
The Hoedspruit Malaria Eradication Committee are not sure how far the nets will go as they only have census data from 2011 to work with. More nets may need to be sourced. The committee currently have a quote for a further 20,000 nets but are hoping that these will be donated in kind.
For more information, to get involved or to make a contribution to these efforts email nets@hoedspruitmalaria.info
Stay informed about malaria in the area at: www.hoedspruitmalaria.info
