Bed Net Projects - Suriname

Private donations of bed net material, sewing machines and insecticides were brought to women's groups in the interior. The women's groups were trained to make and impregnate the nets for hammocks and beds. Upon construction, the nets were sold to villagers and the profits were used to purchase more materials.

Health, Economic Development, Women.

The success of this programme lies in the awareness raised among people about the prevention of malaria, and the empowerment of women's groups. Approximately 25,000 bed nets have been sold and the programme is continuing due to its immense popularity. A UNICEF sponsored survey in 2000 revealed that around 75% of 0-5 year old children sleep under a bed net. Some villagers noted a decrease in the incidence of malaria transmission in their area and cite sleeping under a bed net as the factor generating this decrease.
Malaria is considered one of Suriname's worst health problems by the government and by PAHO, since after a period of control in the sixties and seventies, the incidence of malaria increased sharply in the late eighties. The areas where incidence has most increased are those areas where migration of people occurs more frequently, mostly as a result of the increased exploitation of timber and gold in the interior. In these areas, the annual parasite incidence ranges from a low of 20 to above 500 per 1000 persons. Approximately 13,000 positive cases were reported in 2000 from the interior. Approximately 60% of the cases are in children under the age of fourteen.