The First Lady, Laura Bush, has made one of her crusades stamping out Malaria. With nets for protection from Malaria, deaths have decreased by 44% among the children who are the most vulnerable to the mosquitoes bite. Prior to nets, approximately 36,000 children under 5 years old, died annually from Malaria
Nets have been used for a long time, as they are the most effective method to reduce Malaria in mosquito infested country-sides. However, the difference between then and now, is that nets are now given away free. In the past, there was a cost associated with the nets. To a poor farmer, the one who needs protection the most, even 10 cents is too much money to spend, when one doesn’t have food.
As shocking as it may seem to be charging very poor people, this philosophy has been used for years, and condoned by such people as President Clinton. The philosophy behind it is that if you pay for something, you will value it more. Condoms and oral rehydration salts are distributed using this method. It is called, social marketing, and it hasn’t worked. It was predicted that 60% of the people would be net covered by 2008; however, less than 3% are.
Now, the new Director of the World Health Organization has taken the lead to supplying free nets. “You wouldn’t charge poor people for vaccinations against measles or polio, why malaria. Social marketing may work among the middle class or in developed countries, but has no place among such abject poverty.”
It takes about one to two weeks to completely distribute nets to a particular country. UNICEF has now joined forces with WHO to assure the objectives are met. Turns out, giving the nets away free is cheaper. Consultant fees, transportation, advertising and shipping increased the costs of social marketing to $10 per net. The initial costs were $5-7, and these additional costs were beyond. With free distribution, even with payments to volunteers, the added cost of free distribution is only $1.25 per net.
There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who are affected by Malaria annually: Resulting in one million deaths. When we can prevent this devastating disease so easily and inexpensively, isn’t it time to do so?
Sources
Malaria Foundation International
http://www.malaria.org/
International Health Tribune, Oct 9, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/09/healthscience/09nets.php
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/malaria/
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