• Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic
    • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic
      © ICRC / C. Herby / cf-e-00681

    The ICRC launched an early-treatment programme for malaria in September 2011. Ten inhabitants of Obo received training. At the first sign of malaria symptoms (diarrhoea, extreme fatigue and fever), people in Obo can now consult one of these individuals, known as "distributors", free-of-charge.

  • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic
    • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic
      © ICRC / C. Herby

    The distributors make home visits, day or night, if the patient is too weak to go to them. The patient's temperature and weight are recorded and, if the symptoms point to malaria, a blood test is carried out.

  • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic

    The distributor takes a drop of blood and tests it on the spot using a simple but reliable test. Malaria is the number one cause of death in the Central African Republic. It wreaks terrible devastation among the weakest, especially children under five and the elderly.

  • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic

    The drop of blood is analysed in this "mini laboratory", which shows the results in just 15 minutes. Early treatment means better treatment. It often prevents any potentially fatal complications.

  • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic

    If the diagnosis is malaria, the distributor prescribes anti-malarial drugs and keeps an eye on the patient for the next three days. This is mainly to ensure that patients take the drugs properly, as prescribed, and that their condition does not deteriorate. The whole treatment process, including the drugs, is free.

  • Obo, in the south-eastern point of the Central African Republic

    In just over two months, the team of ICRC distributors in Obo conducted 2,500 consultations and treated more than 1,500 patients. Three days after experiencing the first symptoms, this girl had a smile on her face again – as did her mother.


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