BASF and Rotary helping in Nigeria

This video is about the 2008 BASF and Rotary tour to hospitals in Nigeria, giving mosquito nets and polio vaccines to the poor.

Malaria is arguably the most severe vector-borne public health challenge facing Africa and many other regions of the world. Each year, malaria is responsible for almost one million deaths. Children under the age of five and pregnant women are particularly at risk for malaria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in Africa alone, children represent 92 percent of the deaths caused by malaria. One of the greatest frustrations of malaria is that the disease can be prevented by taking the proper precautions. BASF Agricultural Products Division provides a comprehensive solution to control and potentially eradicate infectious diseases spread by insects. In addition, BASF provides innovative solutions to address the issue of food security in Africa.

For decades, BASF has been committed to the fight against malaria and other tropical diseases. The company's latest contribution is Interceptor, a mosquito net coated with the insecticide Fendona. The net remains effective against mosquitoes for several years. It thus meets the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) requirements for a "Long Lasting Insecticidal Net" (LLIN). According to the WHO, the protection provided by these nets against the mainly night-active vector mosquitoes is the most effective means of preventing malaria infections. Simple, uncoated mosquito nets suspended over sleeping quarters keep the insects physically at bay, but cannot keep them from biting the sleeping person through the meshes of the net. Only treating the net with an insecticide that is safe for humans really puts the insects out of action. In Kenya, this solution reduced infant mortality in high-risk areas by 44 percent. But the extensive use of LLINs protects not only their users: The nets can kill so many mosquitoes that the infection rates also decrease for village neighbors who do not have their own mosquito protection.

With almost 2,000 cases in 2008 when this film was made, Nigeria accounted for at least 70% of the polio cases worldwide. Most cases occur in the countrys northern states. Efforts to get vaccines to every child have been hampered in recent years because many traditional leaders believe they are laced with agents causing aids and sterility. UNICEF estimates that just 55% of one-year-olds have been vaccinated. Neighboring countries blame Nigeria for a rise in polio among their children. The situation has since improved, but Nigeria is still one of four endemic countries for polio worldwide.


More information about us:

http://www.agro.basf.com
http://www.publichealth.basf.com

http://www.rotary.org
http://www.rifpd.org
http://www.maternal-health.eu

Music :
"The Walled City"
Solo Piano by David Nevue
http://www.davidnevue.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Malaria
• Polio
• BASF
• Rotary
• Publichealth
• Insecticide
• Pesticide
• Pestizide
• Insektizide
• Interceptor
• Nigeria
• Commitment
• Africa