West Africa
We all get sick sometimes, but in West Africa, a simple sickness like an upset stomach can be very dangerous, especially for kids who are under the age of five.
Malaria
Malaria is,a disease that makes a lot of young kids get sick and sometimes die in villages all over West Africa. You can get it from a mosquito bite. Malaria causes fever and weakness. It can be prevented with medicine and mosquito nets, but many people can’t afford these things. This disease is extra dangerous for women having babies.
Many people can’t afford the proper medicine to prevent and treat malaria.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is another big health problem in West Africa. In many villages, people are afraid to talk about the disease. Because it isn’t talked about, most people don’t know how to protect themselves from getting sick. No one knows for sure how many people in West Africa are sick with HIV/AIDS, but everyone agrees the problem is getting worse and worse.
West Africa Health Facts:
- In Sierra Leone, more women die having babies than anywhere else in the world. If they could see doctors or had money for medicine, most of them wouldn’t die.
- There are only seven doctors for every 100,000 people in Sierra Leone. In the United States, there are 549 doctors for the same number of people.
- In some West African countries, one out of every 10 people has HIV/AIDS.
Featured Story:
Abibatu's Story
My dream is to become a nurse in the future, so that I can help my people in the village and also serve the nation.