GAC announces the conclusion of its Malaria awareness campaign

Kamsar, Tuesday 9 July 2024 – Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) has today concluded its anti-malaria campaign in fifty localities within the Boké Region. Over the course of 11 days, GAC’s community relay teams, health workers, and doctors have been raising awareness among local populations on effective methods for preventing malaria. As part of this campaign, GAC provided 7,000 long-lasting impregnated mosquito nets to 55 villages. These nets are widely recognized for their effectiveness in protecting against mosquito bites that can transmit this disease.

Malaria continues to pose a global health challenge, particularly impacting vulnerable populations. The goal of this campaign was to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of effective prevention, detection, and access to treatment. Through the collaboration of local health authorities and the dedication of volunteers, we exceeded our objectives in terms of impact. The campaign has in fact reached 14,206 individuals, surpassing the initial target of 13,500. This included 421 pregnant women and 4,324 children under the age of 5.

During the awareness phase, skilled teams visited the targeted villages to communicate key messages in the local dialects regarding prevention methods and domestic hygiene, as well as the steps to take in case of malaria symptoms. After this phase, the communities were provided with long-lasting impregnated mosquito nets, along with instructions on how to properly use them.

GAC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy prioritizes the health of mothers and children. This is achieved through collaborative efforts with state technical services and the implementation of awareness campaigns. Isabelle Teboul, Director of Community Relations, CSR, and Environment at GAC stated: ‘We have implemented a methodology that ensures the effective dissemination of prevention messages. This includes direct, barrier-free communication along with practical demonstrations on the use of health kits. By raising awareness among these people, they will act as a shield against the spread of this disease. We consider community involvement crucial to the success of the fight against malaria.’

Community engagement is the cornerstone of this fight. Almamy Samba Diallo, the Imam of Belinkindy, stated: ‘We are delighted by the awareness program and distribution of mosquito nets led by GAC. We have come to realize the significance of safeguarding our health through protection and cleanliness. We extend our thanks to GAC for these initiatives.’

GAC remains committed to supporting local communities through continuous prevention and education initiatives. This campaign exemplifies our lasting commitment to public health and the well-being of populations.