MFDB

Storyline

Every hour, malaria kills over 50 people. 95% of its victims are children. Now, an international team is making a giant leap towards the eradication of the disease. In Mozambique, an army of scientists, field workers and local community leaders has come together to eliminate the illness from Magude, home toy over 60.000 people. If they win the battle, it will be the beginning of the end: they will have found the formula the World Health Organization will apply to eradicate malaria worldwide.

Malaria was found worldwide until the mid-20th century. Improved sanitation and the desiccation of marshlands reduced mosquito populations. In 1955, with access to DDT and new drugs, the WHO led a program to eradicate the disease. It proved successful: Spain was "malaria-free" in 1964, the United States in 1970. The program was suspended shortly after due to technical difficulties – and before malaria was wiped out in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia. Thanks to the introduction of mosquito nets treated with new insecticides, the number of malaria cases was reduced by 25% over the last 15 years. Still, it continues to be endemic in over 100 countries - home to half the world's population. The disease is entirely preventable and curable, and yet it kills every day. Moreover, due to the debilitating effects on survivors, it hinders economic development where prevalent.

Scientists have realized that drugs alone cannot defeat malaria. The innovative approach being tested in Mozambique is multi-pronged and involves prevention, treatment and improvement of living conditions. The aim is no longer to control the mosquito population (too big a task) but to eliminate from the bloodstream of the entire population the parasite that causes the illness. No parasites => no transmission => bye-bye malaria.

This pilot program, codenamed MALTEM, is not only innovative in its scientific strategy, but also in its geopolitical implementation. It is led by the Mozambican government, and run by local scientists, health professionals and field workers, with support from international organizations (WHO, US President’s Malaria Initiative, UK Department for International Development) and research centers (ISGlobal in Barcelona). As one of the Mozambican scientists puts it: “It’s a historical moment. Malaria has been with us for generations. If we overcome it, we will have created a better future for our children and grandchildren.”

Festivals & Academy awards and others

DocsBarcelona - International Documentary Film Festival 2016
Speed Meetings