Response to Declaration for accelerated malaria mortality reduction in Africa by Ministers of Health of High Burden High Impact (HBHI) countries in Africa. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
Dear Minister,
I am responding to your call to build collaborative partnerships for resource mobilization, research and innovation to further the goal that no one shall die of malaria.
First, I have a question for you – How do you know that malaria is spread by mosquitos?
The story of malaria transmission was first developed by medical officers in colonial armies – Charles Lavaran, a French army physician in Algeria and Ronald Ross, a British army Surgeon-major in India. Western health organisation and aid agencies continue the promotion of the transmission story and ‘cures’ based on it in a manner that has overtones of post-colonial interference. I expect that most of the aid workers have the best of intentions. They may not be aware that they are acting in a colonial manner using methods that are not in the best interests of your people and are more in the interest of western organisations.
I have a second question – how do you know that poisoning your children and your mosquitos will eliminate the scourge of malaria?
If malaria is not spread by mosquitos these ‘cures’ may cause only harm and do no good?
I have good news that may help you reduce the burden. I would like to collaborate, develop partnerships and innovate by looking at malaria in new ways.
Malaria is a disease that affects the malnourished and those without access to clean water and sanitation. It seems unlikely that it is a disease spread by mosquitos. Mosquitos are present in many countries that do not have malaria.
We can educate you about malaria, about its history, the difficulties with conventional treatment and an approach based on nutrition and WASH. The treatments promoted by some health organisations have not been proven effective such as the R21 vaccine discussed in my blog. https://usmalaria.com/blog/
The book is also available as a paperback, ebook and audiobook. Visit https://usmalaria.com/ for more information and links to the book.
We look forward to discussing malaria with you.