PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT MONEY, SO THEY IGNORE THE SIGNS. OTHER DON’T KNOW THE SIGNS
Mr.Ousmane’s area, four people, including Mr.Zongo, were trained to manage ‘simple’ malaria in people’homes and refer the most serious cases to the health centres, which can refer the sickest on the hospitals.
At the main paediatric hospital in Ouagadougou, the financial impediment is party removed. Here doctors can provide and anti-malaria kit for free to children under five experiencing their first episode. It contains quinine, glucose, paracetamol, diazepam and phenobarbital, as well as sterile gloves and perfusers.
In 2013, the home team in Mr.Zongo’s area treaded 513 cases of malaria, including 346 In children; the health centre saw only 425 people in comparison. The team also distributed 2,419 mosquito nets (which are provide free by WHO) and delivered 38 talks, giving the villagers instructions on using nets impregnated with insecticide, spraying their mud homes and not buying out-of-date drugs on the street.
Paediatric nurse Emole Sorgho, who runs 11-bed children’s services at the closet medical centre (the equivalent of a district hospital), says the new system is working well. ‘Home management is a great help because, if patients are seen earlier, they are in a better state and the treatment is more efficient’ he explains.
However, there is a weak link in the system. The FBM workers are voluntary and part-time. Patients pay 100 francs (13p) per dose with just 25 francs going to the worker. Patrice Combary, co-ordinator of the Nation Malaria Control Programme, says; ‘That wouldn’t even pay for a cup of tea’ He adds: ‘What we need is some centralisation of these jobs, to make them more professional, integrating malaria with other disease, and they should be paid a minimum wage’ NS