ASIA/INDONESIA - Treatment and prevention of malaria: commitment of Catholic structures on the island of Flores

Maumere (Agenzia Fides) - "Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest percentage of cases of malaria. In 2015, the 'ratio' of the disease was 5 per thousand. This means that 5 people out of a thousand were positive to the virus", says to Fides Father Luigi Galvani, MI. "In the Country, cases of malaria are becoming more numerous and the pandemic continues to be a threat to the entire population. In recent years, it was one of the ten killer diseases which mainly hit pregnant mothers and children. To cope with this scourge - continues Fr. Luigi - the government, with the help of the Global Fund, an NGO of the United Nations, has made it a priority of his health program, extending the invitation of collaboration to private and religious organizations. The response of the Catholic Church in the Country has been positive. In fact, at present 121 Catholic health care institutions and 112 small health centers (clinics) are engaged in the program of prevention and cure of the disease. In the diocese of Maumere, Flores island, the Bishop has entrusted the task of coordinating this program to the Missionary Camillians. Periodically, with the collaboration of nurses and doctors, seminars are organized in the villages where prevention is carried out: use of mosquito nets, insecticides, methods for proper personal hygiene and family environment are taught. For treatment, operators recommend patients to go immediately to hospitals or community health centers. The results are encouraging and contribute to the identification of the most exposed areas as well as a greater awareness of the population on health and defense of life", concluded the Camillian missionary. (AP/LG) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2016)

Share:

diseases

---

---