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10 Years In Review Malaria prevention and treatment

Malaria is the single biggest killer of children under five and pregnant women and is particularly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Australian donors have helped fund programs to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in Kenya and Uganda. These programs include the widespread introduction of rapid diagnostic testing in the field, the use of new, more effective combination therapies, increased mosquito controls and preventative treatments for high-risk groups like pregnant women. A key component of the program is the pyrethrum-impregnated bednet, which has helped reduce mortality rates and is a key component of UNHCR's Roll Back Malaria Strategy.

A doctor examines a sick child in Chad affected by a combination of malaria, dehydration and exhaustion. In Africa, a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds – nearly 3,000 a day. UNHCR works strategically to prevent and treat malaria among refugees, and works across three key areas to educate affected populations, prevent transmission and to ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment with safe and effective drugs.Pyrethrum-impregnated bednets are a key component of UNHCR’s Stamp Out Malaria strategy, Bednets dramatically reduce the incidence of malaria transmission and are an extremely cost effective way of controlling the disease. UNHCR/H.Coussidis.A Congolese woman seeks treatment for her child in a health centre in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Clinic staff are treating over 4,000 children aged under five with malaria each month. UNHCR/H.Coussidis.A mother and child wait to be treated for suspected malaria in Dadaab, Kenya. Malaria is the biggest killer of refugees in Africa. Two-thirds of refugees worldwide live in malaria endemic countries. UNHCR/T. Mukoya.A doctor examines a suspected malaria patient in Myanmar. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fever, vomiting, shivering and other flu-like symptoms as well as an enlarged liver and spleen.A child receives a life-saving mosquito net.