World Malaria Day: Local Art and Music Pave the Way
By Megha Bhatt, InterAction Intern
In the developing world, malaria is a leading cause of death, affecting 3.3 billion people worldwide and causing almost 1 million deaths each year. In Africa alone, a child dies of malaria every 45 seconds. Not only is malaria deadly, it is also easily preventable and treatable. We have already seen successes from mosquito nets, insecticide spraying, and medical treatment, but an often untold story is the role of dramatic art and music to empower and shape awareness of the disease at a community level. Merely providing bed-nets and building medical facilities is not a guarantee the disease will be prevented.
After nets have been delivered, they must be used effectively. Many of the people we intend to help often have no intention of sleeping under an insecticide-soaked net. Some economists argue that charging a small fee for the nets creates a sense of investment and filters out people who are not going to use the nets. (A study in Zambia, for example, showed that 70 percent of recipients did not use nets). Population Services International prevented 19 million cases of malaria in 2007 alone through selling bed-nets for a nominal fee. Undoubtedly, this raises questions about people who need protection but do not have the means or incentive to purchase nets.
In Tanzania, people often seek traditional healing rather than going to medical clinics due to a lack of awareness about disease prevention. Sofia, a local Tanzanian, would likely not have gone out of her way to take her sick baby to the hospital or even purchase a net for her baby. But as seen in the video about Sofia, a local theater group raised awareness of the causes and treatment of malaria. Changes in community understanding about treatments are most potent at a local level. A local health worker in Tanzania bridges the gap between traditional healing and medical care for people like Sofia.
Empowering communities through art and music is also an effective way of educating people about malaria prevention. Foff For example, in Senegal, Malaria No More has worked with Youssou N'Dour and other musicians to help encourage dialogue about fighting malaria. They create music that comes from personal experience but which a community can also identify with. Children respond well to the songs and sing them by heart. In terms of numbers, there has been a significant decrease in malaria cases in Senegal: 1.5 million in 2006 to 175,000 in 2009.
The Roll Back Malaria report indicates that 3 million lives could be saved by 2015 if the global community continues investing in disease prevention and malaria control. My question is: what can the global community do to promote local activism through plays, drama, art and music?
Photo: REUTERS/Katrina Manson, courtesy AlertNet
