In Côte d’Ivoire, disability groups train to prevent malaria
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Twenty leaders from disability organizations in Côte d’Ivoire received training in Yamoussoukro on preventing and treating malaria, an initiative led by the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Côte d’Ivoire (UNAFEHCI) with support from Speak Up Africa’s “Essential Voices” project.
UNAFEHCI organized the event to equip leaders with the skills to educate and mobilize their members against malaria, aiming for a more inclusive approach to disease prevention.
Anne-Cécile Konan, president of UNAFEHCI, explained that these groups have run an inclusive malaria campaign for nearly three years, focusing on participation in health systems, leadership development, and targeted awareness programs. Konan emphasized the importance of not only informing people with disabilities about malaria but also training them to take preventive measures, as they already face increased vulnerability. The training covered malaria prevention techniques, environmental sanitation, and the process for seeking treatment.
Participants came from several towns including Attiégouakro, Tiébissou, and Yamoussoukro, and represented a range of disabilities including physical, visual, auditory, albinism, and dwarfism. UNAFEHCI also connected malaria prevention with green economic practices, noting that better waste management can both prevent the disease and create income opportunities. They provided practical support, distributing five white canes for the visually impaired, two wheelchairs, and three sunscreens for people with albinism. UNAFEHCI plans to continue these awareness campaigns in the Yamoussoukro area.
