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Apr 2004 |
On 11 March, Médecins Sans Frontières officially
launched a new malaria project in Bongor, capital of the southern region of Mayo-Kebbi
East in Chad. Planned over three years, the pilot-project aims to improve treatment
for one of the most virulent killers in Africa through the introduction of more
effective drugs.
“In Chad malaria is the principal cause of death,” explains
Head of Mission Michel Francoys. “In the area in and around Bongor, between
September 2002 and September 2003, the mortality rate was 330 per 10 000 inhabitants,
that is three times the rate in the developed world. It is striking that over
half of these deaths were caused by malaria.”
In 2002 Médecins Sans Frontières carried out a study to evaluate
the level of resistance to the traditional anti-malarial drugs of fansidar and
chloroquine. The results showed that in 22% and 26% respectively of cases, malaria
proved to be resistant. |
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© Dieter Telemans
Children in Mayo-Kebbi, Chad.
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While the introduction of the more effective drug, artesunate-amodiaquine,
is key, the project will also focus on prevention of the disease through the distribution
of mosquito nets, targeted mainly at children and pregnant women, anti-mosquito
spraying in hospitals and a widespread public education campaign.
“Mayo-Kebbi is the region the most affected by malaria in all of Chad,”
concludes Francoys, “this is why we have located the new project in the
regional capital. But we hope that in the future, our approach can be implemented
on a national basis.”
Médecins Sans Frontières has been working in
Chad for more than 20 years, supporting primary health structures, providing nutritional
aid and fighting epidemics. While the country continues to struggle with annual
outbreaks of cholera and meningitis, Médecins Sans Frontières has
been able to implement a process of gradual disengagement from its work at the
district health level. Médecins Sans Frontières has been working
along the 600 km length of Chad's Eastern border (in Tine, Barak and Adre) since
the beginning of the refugee crisis, providing medical relief, nutritional support
and now providing support to the refugee relocation process to safer areas into
in Chad. |
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COUNTRY PROFILE
Chad
Population: 8,390,000
Life expectancy: 46 years
MSF expatriate staff: 30
MSF national staff: 56 |
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