Malawian Scouts Combating Malaria to Reduce COVID-19 Risks for the Elderly

In Monkey Bay, about 390km away from the city of Lilongwe, Scouts in Malawi are running a dual awareness campaign targeting to provide communities with information on COVID-19 and Malaria. This is as a result of reduced access to treated mosquito nets and malaria medication occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

 

With older people more at risk of succumbing to COVID-19 as compared to other ages, Scouts thought it wise to reach out to families with elderly people and distribute treated mosquito nets to protect them from contracting malaria as they also raise awareness on COVID-19 prevention through their door-to-door campaign.

 

“Our older people must not suffer from the double effects of COVID-19 and malaria. If malaria attacks them, they become more at risk of COVID-19 as hospitals are not stocking essential drugs for malaria due to the pandemic that has made it difficult for the Malawian government to procure drugs,” says Billy Mzumara, the Communications Commissioner for the Scout Association of Malawi.

 

The Scouts have so far reached over 50 elderly people with a target to support an additional 100 vulnerable people. The supply of treated mosquito nets was made possible with support from Scouts Against Malaria UK.

 

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Scouts around the world have been responding to the needs of their communities on an individual and group level from awareness-raising to deliveries of essential items. World Scouting set up a Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund, where you can donate to help Scouts continue supporting their communities in need. All funds will be channelled directly to support National Scout Organizations.