Fyffes supporting UNICEF to help prevent the spread of malaria in Mozambique
Similar to most countries in Africa, malaria remains the biggest public health problem and is the biggest killer of children in Mozambique. At present, it is estimated that about 36,000 children under the age of five will die each year (about one child every fifteen minutes) in the country as a result of malaria alone. It is also estimated that 40 % of the total out-patient cases and 30 % of the hospital deaths are a result of malaria, with malaria prevalence rates in children varying from 40 % to 90 %. Malaria is also a cause of anaemia, which can have severe consequences during pregnancy. Many of the maternal deaths are considered to result directly or indirectly from a malaria infection.
If children live to the age of five, they usually gain immunity and are unlikely to die of malaria. However, when a woman becomes pregnant or a person suffers from a disease that compromises their immune system such as HIV/AIDS, malaria can result in deaths. HIV/AIDS, sadly, has also become a major development threat in Mozambique with an estimated 1.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2007.
Overall, malaria places a huge economic burden on the country, both in terms of the cost of curing and preventing the disease, but also the lost production when adults are absent from work and children fall behind in their studies at schools.
Thanks to Fyffes, UNICEF will receive the support they require to ensure at least 80 per cent of vulnerable population groups (HIV-positive children, children under five years of age, pregnant women and orphaned and vulnerable children) will receive prompt malaria treatment and will be protected from malaria in six provinces of Mozambique.
For further information about UNICEF click on the link to the UNICEF home page www.unicef.org