In case you missed it, on April 25th World Malaria Day was observed to bring attention to the efforts being made to bring an end to malaria and encourage action to reduce suffering and death from the disease. It remains at the top of the list for causes of death in Liberia.
It was a big day in Liberia as the health department announced that the vaccination RTS,S would be added to the immunization protocol for children in Liberia. This vaccination (developed by British Pharmaceutical Manufacturer GSK and approved by the World Health Organization) is the world's first malaria vaccine.
Though its efficacy is only 39% (we can hope it will improve), the number of children infected with malaria in Liberia and other sub-Saharan African countries is so high, that even this number will save thousands and thousands of lives. 35% of children in Liberia under five are infected with malaria.
Hope International's school nurse's April report
Sonnie, Hope International's school nurse, sent us her report for April and as you can see 21 of her visits were from students, staff, and community members having a bout of malaria. Once infected, people face bouts of sickness throughout their lives, impacting quality of life and expectancy significantly.
Sonnie has three medications on hand to treat the symptoms of malaria when patients come to the medical clinic.
Sonnie Guzeh, Hope International’s school nurse since 2015
Thank you for your support of our school medical clinic, which serves students, staff, and community members dealing with the very real impacts of malaria and so many other conditions.
Hoping Together for an End,
The Hope Project