Increasing populations, changing climate and widespread resistance to the usual drugs have all contributed to this dramatic rise. Working with the Ministry of Health, Merlin is running four mobile health clinics to provide medical care to people in isolated communities. In the three months since the programme began, Merlin has treated 35,000 people for malaria. At the same time, we have supported and expanded three regional health centres, and thereby provided extra beds and staff to cope with the growing number of patients. Just as importantly, Merlin is ensuring that treatments are used correctly, to limit drug resistance.
Prevention is as important as cure.
In the first phase, at the height of the epidemic, we are spraying insecticide onto household walls to kill the mosquitoes as they land to rest. In two months, we have already sprayed almost 6,500 houses, providing protection to approximately 45,500 people. As families share sleeping areas, these nets will provide protection to 80,000 people. Health education will also form an important element to encourage people to use the nets and re-impregnate them with insecticide when necessary. This is one for every 20 th man, woman or child and nearly five times as many cases as TB, AIDS, measles and leprosy combined.