By Abdul Razack Gbla
The Save Africa from Malaria Infection (SAFMI) Foundation, under the leadership of the Executive Director, Artem Volchenko, has distributed over one hundred fish ponds to hospitals and communities in Freetown.
The foundation on Tuesday 20th August 2024, received massive welcome from community stakeholders and management of the various Community Health Centers in the Western Area of Freetown for their kind gesture in support of the fight against malaria in the country.
The initiative is spearheaded by the SAFMI’s Country Coordinator, Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura alongside Vitali Ginsburg a Board Member of SAFMI and the dedicated team of volunteers of the foundation.
Together, they facilitated the distribution and installation of water tanks stocked with Gambusia Affinis, a species of mosquito-eating fish known for its voracious appetite for mosquito larvae.
Presenting the artificial water fish ponds to the various health centers and communities on behalf of the foundation, Mr. Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura stated that, the project represents a dual approach to public health and not only does it serve as a practical measure to reduce the mosquito population, but it also functions as an educational tool to raise awareness about malaria prevention.
“By deploying these fish in strategic water bodies around Freetown, SAFMI aims to significantly diminish the spread of malaria, a disease that continues to pose a serious health threat in Sierra Leone,” Alhaji Dauda Musa Bangura noted.
He furthered that the mosquito fish (Gambusia Affinis) is renowned for its efficiency in controlling mosquito populations and capable of consuming up to 300 mosquito larvae within minutes. These fish, he added, offer a biological solution that could revolutionize mosquito control efforts in the country.
“This innovative approach, which prioritizes environmental sustainability and public health, is proof of SAFMI’s dedication to eradicating malaria in Africa,” the Country Coordinator asserted.
He explained further that, the Executive Director Artem Volchenko as part of the project, trained volunteers on the proper management and maintenance of these tanks. Additionally, the foundation is focusing on educating communities about the importance of this biological method in preventing malaria. The success of this program in Freetown could pave the way for its expansion to other regions within Sierra Leone and potentially to other African countries.
Receiving the SAFMI’s Fish Ponds, Hindolo Musa Senior Community Health Officer of the Dwarzark Community Health Center thanked the SAFMI Foundation for coming to their rescue. Furthermore, the Dwarzark Community Health Center disclosed that malaria is a disease that is highly reported in the community health center.
On behalf of the Lumley Community Health Center, Mariatu Sankoh described the donation of the artificial fish ponds by the SAFMI Foundation as timely and life-saving gesture. She assured members of SAFMI that they will make good use of the artificial fish ponds and further called on community stakeholders to support the maintenance of the fish ponds.
With malaria remaining a leading cause of illness and death in many parts of Africa, this initiative by SAFMI is critical in the fight against this deadly disease. By harnessing the natural predation habits of Gambusia Affinis, SAFMI is not only tackling the mosquito problem head-on but also providing a model for sustainable disease prevention that could have far-reaching impacts across the continent.
