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Welcome to the wealthy nation's interactions with Africa. To think "we" can tell people what problem they should solve (Malaria) when not even their food supply

Welcome to the wealthy nation's interactions with Africa. To think "we" can tell people what problem they should solve (Malaria) when not even their food supply is secured, that's just hubris. Knowing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it's Physiological needs (food) vs Safety needs (Malaria protection). And the former are more basic, so expecting anything else shows little foresight (easy to say in hindsight, I know).

frozenport 12y ago
We solved other diseases without solving the food problem.
- erroneousfunk 12y ago
  Yes, but you couldn't eat the vaccinations. This particular problem is caused by the safety solution also, accidentally, doubling as a means to procure food.
lumpypua 12y ago
We need to work on both simultaneously, if only for our own safety. The eradication of smallpox was a major success in the 20th century and treating it in Africa was instrumental. It does no good to try and eliminate dangerous diseases if we leave reservoirs, just because those populations are not food secure. Obviously malaria has its own transmission dynamic that doesn't directly apply here, but for infectious disease generally (eg. ebola) African safety needs are an important part of our own safety.
evanpw 12y ago
From the article: "experts say that the vast majority of mosquito nets are used exactly the way they were intended". There's also good evidence that they work: http://www.givewell.org/international/technical/programs/insecticide-treated-nets http://www.givewell.org/international/technical/programs/ins.... If you don't buy that, then GiveWell's #2 charity just hands out cash to poor people in Africa. Those guys know what they're doing.
Havoc 12y ago
>To think "we" can tell people what problem As per my comment on another post I do not fall into your idea of "we". I've spent all of my life in Africa. Much of it under mosquito nets. Much like other posters here you're approaching this from an academic point of view (maslow etc). The truth is very different. Eg did you know that DDT is still (officially) being used to combat malaria? As in they spray that stuff on houses (it's compulsory for some areas). Enjoy the birthdefects. Another poster here reckoned my pessimism is unwarranted. What does it take for it to be warranted? Africa... One step forward two steps back.

frozenport 12y ago

We solved other diseases without solving the food problem.

erroneousfunk 12y ago
Yes, but you couldn't eat the vaccinations. This particular problem is caused by the safety solution also, accidentally, doubling as a means to procure food.

lumpypua 12y ago

We need to work on both simultaneously, if only for our own safety. The eradication of smallpox was a major success in the 20th century and treating it in Africa was instrumental. It does no good to try and eliminate dangerous diseases if we leave reservoirs, just because those populations are not food secure. Obviously malaria has its own transmission dynamic that doesn't directly apply here, but for infectious disease generally (eg. ebola) African safety needs are an important part of our own safety.

evanpw 12y ago

From the article: "experts say that the vast majority of mosquito nets are used exactly the way they were intended". There's also good evidence that they work: http://www.givewell.org/international/technical/programs/insecticide-treated-nets http://www.givewell.org/international/technical/programs/ins.... If you don't buy that, then GiveWell's #2 charity just hands out cash to poor people in Africa. Those guys know what they're doing.

Havoc 12y ago

>To think "we" can tell people what problem As per my comment on another post I do not fall into your idea of "we". I've spent all of my life in Africa. Much of it under mosquito nets. Much like other posters here you're approaching this from an academic point of view (maslow etc). The truth is very different. Eg did you know that DDT is still (officially) being used to combat malaria? As in they spray that stuff on houses (it's compulsory for some areas). Enjoy the birthdefects. Another poster here reckoned my pessimism is unwarranted. What does it take for it to be warranted? Africa... One step forward two steps back.