Fighting Malaria
At night as Africans sleep, malaria-infected mosquitoes fly into people's homes and bite them, transmitting a microscopic parasite into their blood streams and, eventually, their livers. This stealth contraction results in nearly half a billion malaria cases every year. Malaria is a deadly epidemic that impoverishes and kills millions around the world. Sub-Saharan Africa represents the vast majority of cases. It is here, in the heart of the world's second-largest continent, where millions of people have surrendered and accepted the disease as a fact of life that will kill no matter how doctors attempt to stop it. Though Africans living with malaria seem condemned to suffer and die, a glimmer of hope is arriving from an unexpected time and place. Armed with a surprising re-discovery a global initiative to rid the world of this horrible disease has been formed. Through the continuing efforts of people on three different continents an effective medication to treat malaria has been developed, yet there are endless problems with getting the drug to those most in need. Overcoming great odds, a few lucky patients suffering with malaria receive the much needed treatment and serve as a wonderful example of how in the end, man will overcome malaria. |