Mosquito Nets – Door of Hope

Malaria

Malaria is one of the killer diseases in Africa that has claimed the lives of many thousands. According to World Health organization statistics, more than one million people die in Africa every year from malaria. Malaria and related illnesses result in the death of one African child every 30 seconds and affects between 300 and 600 million people each year, or almost twice as many as tuberculosis, AIDS, measles, and leprosy combined!

Despite these alarming numbers, the good news is that malaria can easily be prevented by limiting one’s exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites. This is largely due to the fact that the primary point of attack by mosquitoes is during the night, when people are asleep. It has been proven that the provision and use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLIN) significantly reduces exposure to and the chances of someone contracting malaria.

The LLIN DOH distributes

The nets produce an effective shielding barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions/bites occur. The treated nets have a toxicity that is a very low level for humans, but are highly toxic to mosquitoes. The nets are additionally effective because by repelling the mosquitoes, a net can also protect other people in the room outside the net.

Mosquito net status in Sierra Leone

Tens of thousands of homes in Sierra Leone do not have these nets. According to UNICEF statistics, between 2006–2008, only 26% of under-fives were sleeping under LLINs. Additionally, only 37% of households owned at least one LLIN. Source: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_statistics.html.

Door of Health’s work

DOH is working to ensure that this simple, inexpensive and life-changing protection is provided to all. Our goal is to ensure that all families and children have these absolutely essential nets. All families in Sierra Leone have the right to own a net and deserve a net. DOH’s objective is to make this a reality.

A new net installed!

Your donation will help provide a crucial, life-saving mosquito net. This net will truly help save a life, prevent lost productivity, school absenteeism etc.