Malaria

Malaria is the number one disease in Myanmar, responsible for most deaths (according to some experts 50,000 per year), in particular among children. This is completely unacceptable if we realise that the most effective treatment for uncomplicated malaria is only 2 USD for an adult and 1 USD for a child. Complicated malaria and death can follow if uncomplicated malaria is not treated well. A number of government and private clinics will be supported with microscopy and anti-malaria medicines. Clinic staff will be trained in microscopy. If they can perform with a high level of accuracy (and only then), they will receive a microscope, lab material, medicines and a record book. The clinic staff can charge the patient 150 kyat ($ 0.10-0.15) unless they are extremely poor in which case they will receive treatment for free. This is an affordable amount for the vast majority of people and charging a small fee acts as an incentive for the clinic staff to provide high quality treatment to as many patients as possible. Frank Smithuis and Dr Khin Zarli Aye have previously set up this system and found it to be very effective with the number of patients visiting the clinics increasing 60-fold (!) after its’ introduction. The treatment used is also very effective in preventing the spread of malaria. In specific areas where transmission is very high and impregnated bednets are effective, MAM will also distribute bednets.