Severe Malaria

This video is part of the “Aha ye de” malaria campaign in Ghana. “Aha ye de” means “It’s Good Here” in Twi, one of Ghana’s national languages. The campaign is designed to reposition the use of treated nets as a lifestyle decision, while at the same time preventing malaria, linking to the BCS’s overarching GoodLife campaign. The campaign seeks to increase risk perception by emphasizing the severity and threats of malaria. At the same time, the campaign empowers individuals to use malaria prevention and appropriate treatment.

The video explains the danger of severe malaria. Malaria kills more children than any other disease in Ghana and is a leading cause of miscarriage and stillbirths in pregnant women. Severe malaria is also a major cause of permanent brain damage and physical disability. One of the disorders severe malaria can cause is epilepsy. While not all cases of epilepsy are caused by severe malaria, many are in countries with a heavy malaria burden, such as Ghana. This is a short documentary filmed in Ghana documenting the impact severe malaria can have on families’ lives.

Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019