BINGONGOL II - A pygmy area in southeast Cameroon “Drive Against Malaria” focuses on malaria prevention for the Bantu and ignored Pigmy population in this difficult to reach area by distributing LLITNs and ACTs and providing diagnostic support. March/April/May 2008 The Bingongol II village is situated about six kilometers southeast of Lomie and has 384 families with pregnant women and/or children under the age of five. The community is dependent upon the district hospital in Lomie, but no LLITNs, ACTs or diagnostic materials were available. We distributed 384 LLITNs using vaccination cards containing health status information for mothers and their children. These health cards clearly indicated to us that malaria is endemic in this region – some mothers have lost 3 or 4 children or have had several miscarriages caused by malaria. Plans Bingongol II will remain under the care of Drive Against Malaria, and the number of nets given to the community will increase as needed. As of September 2008 we have also been providing follow-up monitoring, continuing education, and malaria diagnosis for the whole community under the ACT program. Our next area of focus is Bingongol I.
Results
■DAM has distributed over 384 LLITNs in the community;
■This distribution was accompanied by an education program about malaria prevention.