"beyond the barriers" (by bruno decock)

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Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:07:48 +0000

Every year, 2 million people - 80% of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa - die of malaria. This disease, which is endemic in Mali, is the major cause of illness and death in children under 5 years of age.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:08:59 +0000

Every year, 2 million people - 80% of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa - die of malaria. This disease, which is endemic in Mali, is the major cause of illness and death in children under 5 years of age.
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The scourge of malaria, transmitted by a mosquito bite, is not inevitable: effective treatments are available. Unfortunately it is difficult for sufferers to access good quality care in a health system where patients must pay for treatment while 72% of the population live below the poverty line.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:10:01 +0000

The scourge of malaria, transmitted by a mosquito bite, is not inevitable: effective treatments are available. Unfortunately it is difficult for sufferers to access good quality care in a health system where patients must pay for treatment while 72% of the population live below the poverty line.
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In Kangaba, in the south of Mali, MSF is working with the countryÄ±s health authorities on an effective malaria healthcare strategy. This is based on three pillars: providing quality care, making it accessible geographically and removing the financial barrier.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:11:21 +0000

In Kangaba, in the south of Mali, MSF is working with the countryÄ±s health authorities on an effective malaria healthcare strategy. This is based on three pillars: providing quality care, making it accessible geographically and removing the financial barrier.
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Djaba Keita lives five minutes walk away from the health centre in Narena, in the Kangaba region. She came without delay or hesitation with her sick child, knowing that all healthcare for under fives is free.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:13:00 +0000

Djaba Keita lives five minutes walk away from the health centre in Narena, in the Kangaba region. She came without delay or hesitation with her sick child, knowing that all healthcare for under fives is free.
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Since MSF began providing free care for children under 5 and pregnant women at the projectÄ±s healthcare centres, together with fixed-price treatment that is accessible to the rest of the population, attendance has multiplied by 4.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:14:24 +0000

Since MSF began providing free care for children under 5 and pregnant women at the projectÄ±s healthcare centres, together with fixed-price treatment that is accessible to the rest of the population, attendance has multiplied by 4.
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Cases of malaria are now tackled at an early stage, which considerably reduces the number of serious, often fatal, cases of the disease.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:16:08 +0000

Cases of malaria are now tackled at an early stage, which considerably reduces the number of serious, often fatal, cases of the disease.
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The Paracheck or Rapid Diagnostic Test makes it possible to confirm cases of malaria in 15 minutes using a drop of blood.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:17:26 +0000

The Paracheck or Rapid Diagnostic Test makes it possible to confirm cases of malaria in 15 minutes using a drop of blood.
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The waiting rooms are never empty nowadays. Some healthcare centres had barely 4 patients per day in the high transmission period for malaria, but today between 20 and 30 people make their way there each day as soon as symptoms of the disease appear.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:18:28 +0000

The waiting rooms are never empty nowadays. Some healthcare centres had barely 4 patients per day in the high transmission period for malaria, but today between 20 and 30 people make their way there each day as soon as symptoms of the disease appear.
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As well as the medication, all the care provided, including the consultation, is free for children under 5 years of age and pregnant women, who are the most vulnerable. Children under 5 can get malaria several times each year.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:19:39 +0000

As well as the medication, all the care provided, including the consultation, is free for children under 5 years of age and pregnant women, who are the most vulnerable. Children under 5 can get malaria several times each year.
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Today there is a new effective treatment, ACT or artemisinin combination therapy. Artemisinin, or its derivatives, clears the fever and the parasites more rapidly than any other known anti-malarial drug.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:20:41 +0000

Today there is a new effective treatment, ACT or artemisinin combination therapy. Artemisinin, or its derivatives, clears the fever and the parasites more rapidly than any other known anti-malarial drug.
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The distance between some villages and the nearest healthcare centre is a barrier to the populationÄ±s access to healthcare. This distance, when added to the financial barrier, means that people only visit the centre in extreme cases.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:21:54 +0000

The distance between some villages and the nearest healthcare centre is a barrier to the populationÄ±s access to healthcare. This distance, when added to the financial barrier, means that people only visit the centre in extreme cases.
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In the rainy season, which coincides with the high transmission period for malaria, the distance problem is aggravated by the torrential rains that make roads impassable.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:23:39 +0000

In the rainy season, which coincides with the high transmission period for malaria, the distance problem is aggravated by the torrential rains that make roads impassable.
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When a child is ill, the family cannot get to the health centre. In the majority of cases, medicinal plants and concoctions are the only way to fight the disease.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:24:40 +0000

When a child is ill, the family cannot get to the health centre. In the majority of cases, medicinal plants and concoctions are the only way to fight the disease.
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To overcome the distance problem, MSF has set up teams of malaria agents. During the high transmission period for malaria, the agents cycle off to isolated villages on a daily basis.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:25:57 +0000

To overcome the distance problem, MSF has set up teams of malaria agents. During the high transmission period for malaria, the agents cycle off to isolated villages on a daily basis.
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The malaria agents are members of the community, chosen by it, who are trained and equipped by MSF to provide free treatment for simple malaria cases in children under 10 years of age.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:27:53 +0000

The malaria agents are members of the community, chosen by it, who are trained and equipped by MSF to provide free treatment for simple malaria cases in children under 10 years of age.
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The new tool, the Paracheck or Rapid Diagnostic Test makes it possible to ensure that staff without medical expertise can be trained to diagnose cases of malaria.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:29:43 +0000

The new tool, the Paracheck or Rapid Diagnostic Test makes it possible to ensure that staff without medical expertise can be trained to diagnose cases of malaria.
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The malaria agent administers the 1st dose of ACT - artemisinin combination therapy - to children diagnosed positive. The other two doses have to be given by the mother, one dose per day.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:30:41 +0000

The malaria agent administers the 1st dose of ACT - artemisinin combination therapy - to children diagnosed positive. The other two doses have to be given by the mother, one dose per day.
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The effect of ACT is stunning and can be observed a few hours after the first dose is taken. It takes just 3 days for a child to regain its full strength and totally clear the parasite from its blood.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:32:21 +0000

The effect of ACT is stunning and can be observed a few hours after the first dose is taken. It takes just 3 days for a child to regain its full strength and totally clear the parasite from its blood.
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Today, the population of Kangaba finally has access to quality healthcare. People can see a doctor without having to make themselves even poorer, receive effective treatment and, in the case of populations who are isolated during the rainy season, obtain free care at home.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:33:50 +0000

Today, the population of Kangaba finally has access to quality healthcare. People can see a doctor without having to make themselves even poorer, receive effective treatment and, in the case of populations who are isolated during the rainy season, obtain free care at home.
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