OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Dr André Hattingh and his wife Joyce Crompvoets, who now reside in De Rust, are synonymous with Pediatric Care Africa and providing healthcare to thousands of underprivileged people.
Although they are in De Rust, the work of Pediatric Care Africa extends far beyond the Little Karoo.
With the start of the malaria season in the northern parts of the country, they started with the distribution of 2 000 malaria preventative care packs to households in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
“Malaria is a life-threatening disease primarily found in tropical countries. It is both preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment and, in addition, can cause severe brain and kidney damage in survivors,” says Hattingh.
He adds that there is very little assistance from the government to prevent malaria and the disease is fast returning to areas that were malaria-free for the last few decades.
Each preventative pack consists of:
- Six months’ supply of mosquito repellent to put on the physical body for a family of six
- Three chemically treated bell-shaped mosquito nettings to cover beds
- Permethrin for chemical treatment of clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags and other fabrics to repel mosquitoes.
- Educational booklet in the local language with illustrations for illiterate persons.
High-risk groups in malaria areas are infants, young children, pregnant women and people with HIV/Aids.
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