Home Remedies Didn’t Cure Waraba’s Malaria

Recently, a father from my village came to see me. He was worried about his youngest child, a 2-year-old girl named Waraba. I went to their house and Adama, the mother, explained to me that she began to think something was wrong when Waraba refused to eat all day. I examined the child. She had a high fever and wouldn’t stop shivering. She cried constantly and her face was drenched in tears and sweat. I asked how long Waraba had been in this state, and her mother said she’d been ill for two days. The mother had given Waraba home remedies made from plants, but Waraba’s condition did not improve. I knew the situation was very serious. I urged them to take Waraba to the community health center immediately, and to follow the doctor’s orders.

Fortunately, they followed my advice. They took Waraba to the health center, where they did a blood test and determined she had malaria. The government here in Mali makes malaria medicine free for all children under age 5, so Waraba received the proper treatment: artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) and some painkillers. The next day, Waraba and her family returned to the village. I checked up on her regularly to make sure her parents were giving her the medicine twice a day. Three days later, I was so happy to see Waraba was up and about again.

I strongly suggested that the family should sleep under a mosquito net to prevent future cases of malaria. I also told them that next time they should not wait to come see me. They should come to me immediately whenever one of their children shows any sign of illness.