In 2022, malaria caused the deaths of 608,000 people (more than 50% of whom are children), the vast majority of victims of whom were in Africa, for 249 million proven cases. THE malaria, a well-known disease, remains very present and, above all, relatively fatal. But a new solution could change that.
In fact, the project New Nets was recently launched. This is a new generation mosquito net, soaked with a double insecticide. In place in 17 of the countries most affected by the disease, the latter works miracles. In fact, this new mosquito net would have made it possible to avoid 13 million cases of contamination throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and nearly 25,000 deaths!
A mosquito net to save lives?
Very good news therefore, at a time when solutions are lacking. Indeed, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant and the insecticides used, even though they are relatively powerful, are less and less effective. The project, financed both by Unitaid and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria could change the situation.
A recent study demonstrated that these mosquito nets could help better control the disease, by drop the risks by 20 to 50% per location. The net, coated with a new generation pyrrole insecticide and a standard insecticide, seems to work wonders. Enough to save lives, but also to save money, which can then be reinvested in the health sector.
Savings for a more efficient health system
Indeed, the fall in the number of deaths can allow the nations concerned to save almost $30 million. Enough to relieve health systems and allow them to equip themselves with products and equipment better suited to help patients meet their needs. The coming months will allow us to learn more about the effectiveness of these mosquito nets, with the aim of possibly deploying them on a continental scale.
