ELCA NEWS SERVICE
September 24, 2012
ELCA effort toward controlling malaria yielding successful results
12-63-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) - Ackson Chisaka, a Lutheran pastor in Zambia, is
witnessing first hand how education about malaria, prevention and
treatment of the disease is making a life-saving impact.
Enoch Shidola, a clinical officer at a health center in the same town
where Chisaka serves, agrees and went so far as to report that, by a
conservative estimate, malaria cases in Kashima, in Zambia's Mufumbwe
northwestern region, have been reduced to half.
Chisaka and Shidola attribute this turnaround to the anti-malaria
campaigns and programs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia and
the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Africa (Zambia Diocese). In partnership
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- particularly
through its ELCA Malaria Campaign -- these churches and others across
Africa are contributing to the prevention, treatment and control of
malaria, as well as considering how poverty further complicates
alleviation of the disease.
Lutheran churches in Africa have reached thousands of members and
community residents with information about malaria. In early 2012, more
than 4,670 people in Zambia took part in "awareness sessions" designed to
stress the importance of malaria testing and understand clinical treatment
options, particularly in the first 24 hours after the appearance of
symptoms. Church and community leaders were trained to lead awareness
sessions, and more than 1,160 rapid diagnostic tests were distributed.
More than 2,030 people with malarial symptoms were tested in several open
clinics in the northwestern part of Zambia.
Prior to these campaigns, malaria symptoms often went untreated,
according to Chisaka, and many people were unaware of what dangerous
effects the disease can have, especially on children. Pregnant women would
seek care from "traditional healers" who administrated herbs that induced
labor instead of seeking care from health clinics, he said.
Every 60 seconds a child dies of malaria, a treatable and preventable
disease that kills more than 655,000 people a year, mostly children in
Africa.
To help bring an end to malaria-related deaths, the ELCA has
partnered with Lutheran churches, organizations and projects in 11 African
countries through its ELCA Malaria Campaign.
Rolled out following an action of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly,
the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely positioned to provide mosquito nets,
insecticides, medication, health care, education and more. A goal of the
campaign is to raise $15 million by 2015 to support the anti-malaria
efforts of Lutheran churches and organizations in African countries.
From January to June 2012, 58 awareness sessions in Zimbabwe were
carried out by "Malaria Focal Persons" about one every three days. More
than 690 community members throughout Zimbabwe were trained in malaria
treatment methods, including rapid diagnostic testing, intermittent
preventive treatment and early treatment-seeking behaviors.
"The statistics are compelling, even more so when we realize that
each awareness session, each rapid diagnostic kit, each dose of malaria
medication represents entire lives that have been changed and enriched by
the work of the ELCA Malaria Campaign," said Jessica Nipp Hacker,
coordinator of the ELCA Malaria Campaign.
"Gifts to the ELCA Malaria Campaign have empowered our Lutheran
sisters and brothers in Africa to provide necessary training and resources
to their communities and to accomplish their malaria-control goals for
2012," said Nipp Hacker. "The continuing support of ELCA members will mean
additional life-changing programs in years to come."
Information about the ELCA Malaria Campaign is available at
www.ELCA.org/malaria.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000 congregations across the 50
states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.
Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in
Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's
roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper
773-380-2956 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.ELCA.org/news
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