Every year on the 25th of April, the whole world commemorates World Malaria Day, which is aimed at highlighting the need for continued effort in malaria control and prevention.
Scabies Outbreak in Rural Malawi
On a weekday in the scorching heat of November, small groups of school-going children played outside. Modester Nyirenda, a mother to one of the children, said, “They stopped going to school last week because of a scabies outbreak. Classes are always congested. Students are afraid of contracting scabies from their friends.”
Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases in Malawi’s rural communities. It’s caused by a microscopic mite. The mite burrows into the upper layer of human skin where it lays its eggs. This causes intense itching and a skin rash. While scabies is most common in young children, it can affect adults as well. And it’s highly contagious. If left untreated, scabies can spread to the whole family and even village.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected Malawi’s financial and education systems. We’re now facing the additional burden of a scabies outbreak. The outbreak has reached both rural and urban areas. Many children have quit school in fear of either being stigmatised or contracting the disease. Luckily, scabies is not as deadly as Covid-19 or malaria. But it is unpleasant.
“I haven’t been able to sleep for two weeks,” said Belita Milanzi from Sopo Village in Kasungu. “I spend the whole night scratching.”
At Orant’s Mobile Outreach Clinic, Belita received treatment. Clinicians prescribed benzyl benzoate ointment with instructions to apply it to the whole body. All Belita’s household members also received treatment, even those who hadn’t shown symptoms yet. To further prevent the spread, clinicians instruct households to wash all cloths and linens with hot water.
“I’m sure I will now finally have a good night’s sleep,” Belita said.
Orant is working tirelessly to prevent the spread. Our Mobile Outreach Clinic gives daily health talks on scabies. We cover what causes it, how it spreads, and how it can be treated.
Learn more about our healthcare programs here.
The Orant Journal
Improving Healthcare Services through Quality of Care Assessment
Last week, we were visited by the quality of care assessment team from Dowa District hospital. Read today's blog post to learn about how this exercise is important to us and the community we serve.
New Wheels from Orant’s Healthcare Program
We are always happy when our support brings a smile on peoples faces and changes their lives. In this week’s blog article, we are talking to Andrea Mwale, a 41 year old man from Chapuwala village in Kasese. Andrea shares his gratitude towards the support that our Healthcare program has recently provided to him.
School Surveys Lead to Better Learning Outcomes
Data is one of the most important tools in all our programs as it helps us measure whether our programs are making an impact or when it’s time for change. For the past three weeks, our Education program has been surveying schools in our catchment area. Check out today’s blog to learn more about how this survey is going to contribute to our Education program.
Improving Healthcare Access in Rural Malawi
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new Mobile Outreach Clinic this week, which is a great stride that our Healthcare program has achieved! We have started our operations with treating Chatalala Community in Kasungu district, Traditional Authority Njombwa. Read our blog post to learn more about how the new mobile outreach clinic will serve communities better.
Malaria Season in Malawi
Summer in the Southern Hemisphere brings malaria season in Malawi, a dangerous disease that can kill those who do not receive treatment in time. Orant works to ensure that those afflicted with the disease receive the proper treatment and recover.
The Challenge of Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Malawi
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain a huge burden to the healthcare sector in Malawi. Read our blog post to learn more about NCDs.
Conducting Mobile Outreach Clinics in Malawi
Your donations have purchased a new trailer for our Mobile Outreach Clinic! Read our latest blog as our Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) team shares how the new trailer will be of great help to the team’s daily operations.
A New Hope for Mothers in Malawi
In rural Malawi, pregnant women face many challenges including lack of access to prenatal care, poor nutrition, and lack of safe spaces to deliver their babies. Orant is working to change that with the renovation of our maternity ward. Read about it in this week’s blog.
Orant Improves Eye Health in Rural Malawi
On the last Wednesday of every month, our Kasese Health Centre conducts eye clinics for local residents in need of treatment. Read our latest blog to learn more about our eye clinics and how they help people in rural Malawi.