Back to our Roots on Malaria
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Dear Colleagues,
With reference to Bio-environmental methods of malaria vector control
in Africa by Jo Lines 06/06/2000 and DATELINE HEALTH NIGERIA: Supple-
ment on Roll Back Malaria Summit by A. Odutola 05/06/2000 -
I believe the solution to the problem of malaria lies in prevention
and control through simple upgrading of the environment in which peo-
ple live. For instance the elimination of stagnant pools of water
(including broken bottles on refuse heaps) would significantly reduce
anopheles breeding places.
Proceedings at the Abuja summit seem to rely misguidedly on improve-
ments in curative services and the provision of expensive nets. The
economic agenda of drug manufacturers (and their ilk) offers no solu-
tions to the problem.
Some of our ancestors lived over a hundred years without aspirin or
chloroquine, then the environment could support the sustainable eco-
nomic activities of their time. Their population was environmentally
manageable.
Perhaps ethno medical research into the practices of 'those days'
would be quite appropriate. We may then leave expensive curative ser-
vices for expatriates and breakthrough attacks in permanent resi-
dents!
Koye Oyerinde, MBChB MPH
Maseru, Lesotho
mailto:phc@lesoff.co.za
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