Women leading the charge against malaria in Cameroon – opinion

April 25, 2024
by Peter Sands, Executive Director

We have latest tools, however it’s medical experts on the front lines who can assist fight malaria.

Nobody should die from malaria. It is unacceptable that a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals lose their lives yearly attributable to a disease that has plagued us for millennia. As African Ministers of Health highlighted At the Malaria Ministerial Conference held last month in Yaoundé, Cameroon, we have now the tools to finish this disease for good.

Tools akin to the most recent nets containing a double energetic substance (AI) coated with two insecticides, making them simpler within the fight against mosquitoes which have grow to be resistant to plain nets. Other tools include indoor residual spraying, seasonal malaria prophylaxis for youngsters under 5 years of age, and periodic preventive treatments to guard pregnant women from the disease. And now two latest vaccines – RTS, S and R21 – are the most recent additions to the toolkit. All of those tools are only when used together as a part of comprehensive national malaria control plans.

However, tools alone won’t be enough to finish malaria. Their success depends entirely on the strength of the health systems through which they’re implemented. Ultimately, these health systems depend on trained and integrated health personnel to achieve and serve the communities most affected by malaria.

These are people on the front lines fighting the results of malaria of their communities. Working together, doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, midwives and health care staff play a key role in fighting infectious diseases and providing lifesaving prevention and treatment services.

There is a crucial gender aspect to contemplate: the vast majority of healthcare staff are women. These women provide health care mainly to nurses, midwives and health care staff about 5 billion people global.

During my recent visit to Cameroon, where the complete population of 27 million people is susceptible to malaria, I had the respect of meeting three incredible women who’re leading the fight against this disease.

At Soa District Hospital, I met with Emily Itondo, a midwife who conducts prenatal visits with women locally, providing them with malaria-preventing drugs referred to as intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and insecticide-treated bed nets. When a pregnant woman is infected with malaria, her baby could also be born significantly underweight, which can lead to health complications and even death. Emily explained that in consultations she systematically screens pregnant women for malaria and provides them with the preventive tools they need.

At the identical hospital, Danielle Ekoto, chief nurse and head of the vaccine service, told me about her role in leading the hospital’s vaccination program. Cameroon is the primary country on the planet to incorporate the RTS,S malaria vaccine in its national immunization program. Nurse Danielle and her colleagues have been vaccinating children as young as 6 months with the malaria vaccine since January this 12 months.

Providing access to health care also is determined by trust; people have to feel protected and be treated with care and dignity. That’s why the work of local health care staff is so necessary.

The profound impact of those connections was evident after I accompanied Amélie Tachifo, a healthcare employee, on a house visit to one in every of the families she supports: Melissa’s mother, Tomnjong’s father, and their two children, Gabriella and Tony-Jason.

Melissa (left) and Tomnjong (right) with healthcare employee Amélie Tachifo and their children Gabriella and Tony-Jason. Like all parents, Melissa and Tomnjong’s top priority is the health of their children. They are perfectly aware of the hazards their children are exposed to. Photo: The Global Fund/Vincent Becker

Amélie has been supporting the family for six years. Melissa calls her “my sister.” And I understand why.

It was Amélie they called at 2 a.m. when Melissa went into labor along with her now 3-year-old daughter, Gabriella, once they couldn’t find anyone else to assist and had no technique of attending to the hospital.

It was Amélie who they called last 12 months when Melissa and little Gabriella got sick. Melissa was pregnant along with her second child. Amélie took them each to an area hospital where they were diagnosed with malaria. Gabriella was admitted for 4 days but recovered, thanks partly to how quickly she was diagnosed and sent for treatment.

It was Amélie who made sure that after this terrifying incident, Melissa received IPTp throughout her pregnancy and the entire family slept under a brand new double AI mosquito net.

And it was Amélie who told her family in regards to the malaria vaccine. Eight-month-old Tony-Jason was vaccinated at Soa District Hospital in February this 12 months.

In each area of ​​their work, nurse Danielle, midwife Emily and healthcare employee Amélie provide critical malaria interventions that together contribute to a comprehensive and coherent approach to the disease. Their role is key to a well-functioning health care system and the general health and well-being of the communities they serve.

The truth is that without their tireless efforts, the fight against malaria wouldn’t be possible.

This must translate into appropriate support, training, protection and financial compensation for them. For example, despite their critical role, health care staff do they are sometimes underpaid or not paid in any respect. In Amélie’s case, the small stipend she receives means she has to take up one other job to complement her income.

Tools are only one piece of the puzzle. On World Malaria Day, allow us to not forget that global progress is being driven by these heroic medical experts on the front lines – most of them women. The world owes them respect and recognition.

This article was originally published on Forbes.