Sayonara Malaria
Goodbye Cruel Disease.
In the Cameroon city of Douala, at the private Angels Clinic, six-month-old Nobah Adel screamed. Said her mother, “Even if she cries, I’m very happy.”
Mosquirix has come to vanquish malaria in Africa, and it will save tens of thousands of lives, not a moment too soon as there were over 6 million cases in 2022 with 12% of the deaths coming from children under five.
Over 660 thousand doses of the oddly named RTS,S vaccine are set to make a significant impact as it takes center stage in Cameroon after successful trials in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. .
"For a long time, we have been waiting for a day like this. It brings more than just hope; it brings a reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with malaria."
Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, the division head at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
The harrowing nature of Malaria is well known, it is a devastating disease that has profound impacts on individuals, families, and communities:
High Mortality Rates: As mentioned above the majority of deaths occur among young children under the age of five.
Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable to severe complications from malaria.
Cycles of Poverty: The disease traps communities in poverty as it affects productivity, leading to economic hardship. And chidrens’ schooling is frequently interrupted due to impacted family members.
Long-Term Health Effects: Severe cases may result in neurological damage, kidney failure, or respiratory distress.
Transmission Challenges: Thanks to the prevalence of mosquito breeding and inadequate mosquito control.
Economic Burden on Healthcare Systems: Resources that could be allocated to other health concerns are diverted to malaria control efforts.
All of this should be stymied if not vanquished by this new vaccine and its impending roll-out.