Malaria is an endemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa that widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the fact that it is a preventable and treatable disease, each year, more than 400 000 people die of malaria. In 2019, the African region was home to 94% of malaria cases and deaths, where the disease is most prevalent. Nevertheless, the people living here have the lowest accessibility rates to the health care needed to control malaria. Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria. An estimated two thirds of deaths are among children under this age.
The disease strikes hardest Nigeria. In 2019, nearly a quarter of malaria deaths occurred in this country. Through the Hungary Helps Program, Hungary supports the fight against malaria with several projects.
Medical mission to help thousands of Nigerians
In Nigeria, Niger River causes massive floods every year. There are 15 million people living in Anambra State, which severely affected by the floods in 2019. Thousands of people became homeless. Polluted waters led to the diseases such as malaria and typhoid. Hungary supported the life-saving humanitarian mission of the Afréka International Humanitarian Foundation during the floods. The Hungarian organization cooperated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, who run the local hospital and who know most about the local humanitarian situation. The medical mission examined and provided medications and tests to about 3,000 people. The foundation also held a free HIV testing so that patients could receive treatment as soon as possible. The support has helped protect the health of some 1,200 people in Southeastern Nigeria.
Malaria Clinic in Northern Nigeria
Adamawa State in northern Nigeria has an area, named Wakka that surrounded by mountains and difficult to access. The people living in the area have extremely poor health, because even basic health services are extremely difficult to access there. Locals have to travel long distances if they need a doctor or emergency medical service. Hungary supported the construction of a local health center, the Malara Clinic of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria and the purchase of basic medical equipment. With the completion of construction, the equipping of the clinic and the improvement of the level of medical services, a significant improvement in the health status of the rural population can be achieved. The support can also reduce migration from the countryside to the overcrowded cities. It also serves to protect young people who would otherwise be trying to survive in urban slums.
An off-road vehicle transporting medical equipment donated by the Hungary Helps Program.
Hungary Helps
Creating a livable environment that reduces the risk of disease
Support to improve the quality of life and development of local health care also indirectly contributes to the fight against malaria and other diseases. Hungary supported the filling of a swamp next to the Chérifoula school in a Bamako slum, in Mali, which not only helps to continue the educational activity, but also contributes to the improvement of public health and to end malaria.
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