Prevention Programs
PREVENTION EDUCATION
PREVENTION EDUCATION IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY THE GRASSROOTS IS THE KEY TO REDUCING MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FROM DISEASES.
As said in the Tshiluba language: “Budimu mbuhita buanga” (Prevention is better than cure; mieux vaut prévenir que guérir [FRENCH]). The Tshiluba language is spoken in Kasai in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
It is reported that Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, said in 1736, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” He was speaking of the prevention of fires in Philadelphia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)1 – Key facts
- Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old. It is both preventable and treatable.
- Each year diarrhea kills around 525,000 children under five.
- A significant proportion of diarrheal disease can be prevented through safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.
- Globally, there are nearly 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrheal disease every year.
- Diarrhea is a leading cause of malnutrition in children under five years old.
MSWE leaders believe that one of the most significant reasons for this high morbidity and mortality is the lack of prevention education at the grassroots level, in local languages understood by the people.
To learn more, click on the following references:
WATER TESTING
INTRODUCTION
It is said that the human body is 60% water. Water plays a big role in the proper functioning of the body by, for example, maintaining our normal body temperature, lubricating our joints so they can function properly, and protecting our spinal cord and other tissues.
Just like with everything in life, there must be a balance. Too little water in the body can cause problems such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, and dry mouth, lips, and eyes. However, too much water can also be problematic. It can affect the kidneys by making them unable to remove the excess water, resulting in conditions such as the retention of water in the body. This, in turn, can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as well as headaches.
It is of utmost importance that the water we drink is potable. This is challenging in many developing countries, as water harbors microorganisms that can make people sick (e.g., cholera, typhoid fever, etc.) These disease-causing microbes are not visible to the naked eye. The water looks clear. People drink the water without realizing its danger.
Source of drinking water in Mpoyi
In 2010, the UN General Assembly categorically recognized the human right to water and sanitation. The UN stated: “Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.” For more Info WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? – PREVENTION IS THE KEYAccording to the WHO, 29% of the global population (2.1 billion people) lacked “safely managed drinking water” (meaning water at home, available, and safe) and 61% of the global population (4.5 billion people) lacked “safely managed sanitation” (meaning access to a toilet or latrine that leads to treatment or safe disposal of excreta). distance, resulting in long queues for water collection. You will also stand in line for hours and then walk away without water.
Reference:
. (Emmanuel Wani Jube Gore1, Yulin Tang 2*, Harrison H. Boying1 Evaluation of Rural Household Drinking Water Treatment: A Case Study of Rajaf Payam Central Equatoria State, Juba-South Sudan International Journal of Scientific Advances ISSN: 2708-7972 Volume: 2 | Issue: 2 | Mar – Apr 2021 Available Online: www.ijscia.com DOI: 10.51542/ijscia.v2i2.16 )
Training people at the grassroots on microorganisms in the water they drink.
It is said that “seeing is believing.” Dr. Robert H Metcalf, a Professor Emeritus from California State University, Sacramento, USA, has developed a compact Portable Microbiology Laboratory (PML).
For the last decade, Dr. Metcalf has worked with a community-based organization in Lower Nyakach, Kenya, called Friends of the Old (FOTO), in implementing a strategy to eliminate waterborne disease for the 70,000 citizens who must rely on contaminated drinking water sources. The strategy involves FOTO staff using the PML to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level, replace myths about waterborne disease with science, and provide households and schools with 9300 bottles of the chlorine solution Aquaguard every month. In recognition of Metcalf’s efforts to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level in low-income countries, he received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2018. FOTO received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2020. The FOTO strategy could be replicated worldwide. With a PML, anyone can be a water microbiologist.
Training people on how to make water potable through pasteurization (heating) and using chlorine to sanitize water – cleanliness and sanitation.
For the last decade, Dr. Metcalf has worked with a community-based organization in Lower Nyakach, Kenya, called Friends of the Old (FOTO), in implementing a strategy to eliminate waterborne disease for the 70,000 citizens who must rely on contaminated drinking water sources. The strategy involves FOTO staff using the PML to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level, replace myths about waterborne disease with science, and provide households and schools with 9300 bottles of the chlorine solution Aquaguard every month. In recognition of Metcalf’s efforts to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level in low-income countries, he received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2018. FOTO received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2020. The FOTO strategy could be replicated worldwide. With a PML, anyone can be a water microbiologist.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE
1. Training on microbes, including what they are, where they are, and how we get them (Mbujimayi 2021).
Dr. WaKabongo teaching basic microbiology to adults in a rural center (Mpoyi 2021)
2. In collaboration with Dr. Metcalf, used the Idexx test to show people how contaminated their water is. Dr. Metcalf provided the testing kits.
- COLILERT TEST – Presence or Absence of Coliform (E. coli as indicator)
- PETRIFILM TEST – Enumeration of E.coli for Risk Assessment of Water Sources
3. In collaboration with showed them how to make chlorine using readily available material
For the last decade, Dr. Metcalf has worked with a community-based organization in Lower Nyakach, Kenya, called Friends of the Old (FOTO), in implementing a strategy to eliminate waterborne disease for the 70,000 citizens who must rely on contaminated drinking water sources. The strategy involves FOTO staff using the PML to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level, replace myths about waterborne disease with science, and provide households and schools with 9300 bottles of the chlorine solution Aquaguard every month. In recognition of Metcalf’s efforts to bring evidence-based microbiology to the community level in low-income countries, he received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2018. FOTO received the IDEXX Water Humanitarian Award in 2020. The FOTO strategy could be replicated worldwide. With a PML, anyone can be a water microbiologist.
Dr. John Tusala Mulomba training the team at Mpoyi on how to make chlorine
Partners:
· Ms. Michelle L. Taylor-Frazier, MS, OL, Ed, Frazier Corp. LLC, CFO, Founder & Executive Director, Multicultural Educational Programs, Inc. – Chlorine Producing Units
· Mr. Ratcliff – Safe Water International Ministries (SWIM) – Earl Ratcliff, Board Chair of Safe Water International Ministries (SWIM) – Chlorine Producing Unit
4. Water can also be made potable by pasteurization (boiling or using a solar cook kit)
Solar cooking kits at Dr. Metcalf’s residence, Sacramento, CA, USA
Dr. Musau WaKabongo with her solar cook kit (Dr. Metcalf’s residence, Sacramento, CA, USA)
PUBLICATION OF PREVENTION BOOK IN TSHILUBA – CHOLERA BROCHURE
The United Nations, on March 30, 2022, reported the following facts about cholera:
- Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
- Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms and can be successfully treated with an oral rehydration solution.
- A global strategy on cholera control, Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030, with a target to reduce cholera deaths by 90%, was launched in 2017.
- Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide due to cholera.
- Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
- The provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
- Severe cases will need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
- Oral cholera vaccines should be used in conjunction with improvements in water and sanitation to control cholera outbreaks and for prevention in areas known to be at high risk for cholera.
Cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The WHO indicated that more than 14 African countries have reported cholera cases since January 2022. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this acute diarrheal disease is endemic in several provinces. For More Info- It is further reported that there were about 3,700 suspected cases of cholera in Nyiragongo between October 2022 and mid-January 2023. Nyiragongo is part of the Virunga Volcanic Province in the DRC. War-related conflicts in this area are responsible for the resurgence of cholera.
Prevention and control
According to the WHO, prevention and control of cholera is complex. It requires a combination of strategies such as surveillance, water treatment, sanitation and hygiene, social mobilization, treatment, and oral cholera vaccinations.
DMWSE Inc. believes that prevention should also target the population in villages. Teaching them about the nature of microbes and prevention in their own language is very important. The attached brochure about cholera written in Tshiluba is one in a series of prevention brochures written in local languages
Global Handwashing Day
Dr. Musau WaKabongo is an advocate for Global Handwashing Day because the organization believes in the power of handwashing and hygiene as the first line of defense against preventable diseases. Handwashing with soap is an easy, effective, and affordable do-it-yourself practice that prevents infections and saves lives.
Since 2020, the foundation has sponsored handwashing awareness events, resources, and competitions in MPOY, Mbuyi Mayi, and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
ABOUT Global Handwashing Day
Global Handwashing Day is an annual global advocacy day dedicated to advocating for handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Global Handwashing Day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership and is an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times. Global Handwashing Day is celebrated every year on October 15th. The first Global Handwashing Day was held in 2008, when over 120 million children around the world washed their hands with soap in more than 70 countries. Since 2008, community and national leaders have used Global Handwashing Day to spread the word about handwashing, build sinks and tippy taps, and demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands. Global Handwashing Day has continued to grow. It is endorsed by governments, schools, international institutions, civil society organizations, NGOs, private companies, individuals, and more. To learn more about Global Handing Washing Day, visit The 2022 Global Handwashing Day theme was “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene.” No matter your role, you can celebrate Global Handwashing Day. This website is the central repository for all the tools necessary to make your event a success! On this website, you can find:- Global Handwashing Day planner’s tools
- Handwashing information
- Responses to frequently asked questions; and
4-HDRCongo – at Chibombo participating in the Handwashing Day
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC is the United States’ leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health. For more than 70 years, we’ve put science into action to help children stay healthy so they can grow and learn; to help families, businesses, and communities fight disease and stay strong; and to protect the public’s health.
The MSWE Foundation highly recommends that individuals and organizations familiarize themselves with the guidance and resources provided by the CDC.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Founded in 1948, the WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners, and people to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
The WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. It directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies and promotes healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. The WHO Triple Billion initiative targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programs.
The MSWE Foundation highly recommends that individuals and organizations familiarize themselves with the guidance and resources provided by the WHO.
To learn more about the initiatives and resources that apply to Africa,