Pandemic Diseases

A PCV marks nets before distribution takes place, Saraya

The Universal Coverage Campaign of LLINs (long-lasting insecticide nets) conducted by Peace Corps in partnership with the Health District of Saraya and its management team in the Health District of Saraya was a great success and a very important event. While Kendeya is planning with the Health District and the local PCV a survey to assess the long-term benefits of Universal Coverage, the methodology adopted for the Campaign received strong appreciation from international agencies and national government institutions. Kendeya, who took part into the implementation of the second cycle of the Campaign, held between the month of January and February 2010, is now involved in the documentation and reporting of the result of the Campaign, in order to disseminate information about the modality of distribution and enabling future replication of the successful malaria prevention strategy.

Distribution in the village of Sountounkoloung

In order to assure that malaria mortality and morbidity can be effectively reduced, mosquito nets need to be distributed regularly, due to migration and the dynamic nature of the local population, as well as because of the deterioration of nets. For this reason PC, the Health District and Kendeya are already planning another Universal Coverage Campaign. Kendeya has already been involved in organisational meetings and, with the local PCV, is developing a training session for the community health workers who are going to have an active role in the delivery of the nets.

Kendeya also assisted in the submission of a grant application to conduct a HIV/AIDS programme in the Saraya district. The funding was approved and the programme will be fully implemented in the coming year. The main objectives of the project are the intensification and the optimisation of the distribution of condoms in the Health District, the conduction of regular educational interventions in local villages, as well as the creation of a follow up strategy for individuals that have resulted positive to the HIV/AIDS test.

Midwife Fatou Kan prepares HIV/AIDS tests, while project manager Annarita Imbucci distributes T-shirts to community members that helped the organisation of the free HIV/AIDS testing, Balori

Posted by Annarita