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According to the World Health Organization, one million people, most of them
children, will die from malaria this year. Malaria is an infection
that is carried from person to person by a seemingly harmless
mosquito bite. The people who contract malaria are often among
the earth’s poorest. In addition to causing death, repeated
bouts of malaria weaken individuals to the point where they
are unable to work and provide for their families.
There is, however, a simple yet effective preventive for malaria—the
mosquito net. The Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) and the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have joined with overseas partner
churches to provide affordable, insecticide-treated mosquito
nets to the most vulnerable populations. These nets are distributed
by community-based health workers who teach their neighbors
how to prevent malaria. A single net will provide nightly protection
for an entire family.
In collaboration with the PC(USA), MBF provides education
to congregations about international health, raises financial
support for international health programs of our partner churches,
solicits and ships gifts of medical supplies and equipment,
and recruits short-term volunteers for service in overseas medical
institutions.
These gifts from American Presbyterians strengthen the ministry
of our overseas partners who are the hands and feet of Christ
to those in need.
—Dr. Maria Zack, board president, Medical Benevolence
Foundation |
