Africa is Developing New Intervention Tools To Tackle Malaria
In 2012 two Burkinabe (Bukina Faso) students Moctar Dembélé and Gérard Niyondiko innovated malaria-repellent soap from natural herbs, the brains behind Faso Soap, were awarded a $25,000 prize for their invention in 2013 when they became the first African winners of the Global Social Venture Competition at the University of California Berkeley.
Moctor Dembele & Gerald Niyondiko founder Faso Soap
Two years ago, three Ugandan researchers developed a diagnostic kit that gives a result in two minutes with the help of a Smartphone after one of the co-founder called Brian Giita got malaria which was difficult to diagnose as he had other diseases too as narrated by co-founder Sheffik Ssekito
Brian Giita founder Matibabu device
The Matibabu device uses light scattering and magnetism. The Kampala-based researchers said their motivation stemmed from the fact that they had all previously been infected with malaria.
On the other hand, across the globe in the United States a few years ago they innovated all natural mosquito repellent non-toxic bar soap called Osana which has proved to be very effective in combating malaria and other mosquitoes transmitted diseases such as; Zika, Dengue, West Nile virus,Chikungunya.
In January, 2017 Roperfree mosquito repellents & Aromatherapy oils were launched under Roperfree Brand products. The innovation of Roperfree mosquito repellent oils came in at the time when malaria was attracting a global concern as it is still number one killer disease. The mosquito repellent is saving many lives and filled the gaps were mosquito nets cannot. This innovation is not only for saving lives but brand ambassador for Ugandan product on the global market.
Mona co-founder, Roperfree
In the same year Joan Nalubega a student at SINA in Mpigi when she was starting her mosquito repellent soaps called Uganics, approached us as Roperfree team after the recommendations from her friend called Owere Justine a construction engineering student who I was mentoring in ISSB brick making, brought Joan for mentorship & to buy essential oils which she was going to use in her soap making as repellent organic ingredient.
Joan Nalubega founder, Uganics
Roperfree inspired her though we had an idea of manufacturing mosquito repellent soaps after getting the concept from a friend who is making effective mosquito repellent soaps called Osana in the USA, a joint venture proposal to start making repellent soaps in Uganda due to logistics & cost of shipment to endemic countries such as; Uganda and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa but the idea didn’t fit well because the mixture of lye in soap making kills the purpose of having an organic natural repellent plus to create space for Joan to carry on in order to defeat the common enemy (malaria) from all sides, we never wanted to lose focus but to concentrate on Roperfree Brand Products to get off the ground!
Malaria is still a big challenge so many tools have to be gotten out of the tool box to fight it more effectively. Every life matters and malaria has caused a lot of deaths and suffering so enough is enough! It’s time up to kick back malaria. If we do not fight back, malaria will fight back & many lives will continue to be lost. Great! Africa is waking up and fighting malaria until it is gone forever!
We're seeing so many exciting new products and innovations, especially in the vector-control space, some of these tools are being developed by Africans themselves and some by Africans in coordination with others."
There is a lot in the pipeline, but we have to do what we can with the universal tools proven to save lives.
Roperfree Brand Products can be purchased on all major e-commerce platforms such as; eBay, Amazon and Jumia plus the following outlets in and around Kampala:
Ecopharm Pharmacy, Capital Shoppers Mall-Ntinda
Eurojoi Pharmacy plot 3 William Street-Kampala
Backpackers-Mengo
Cathy's message parlor at backpacks hostel Mengo-Kampala
Numack Pharmacy-Mengo, Kampala
Aidchild-Equation Gallery &Art cafe, Masaka-Mbarara Road.
Kenjoy Supermarket Najjanankubi, Entebbe Road.
Spring Pharmacy- Wilson Road
Mega Supermarket; Old tax park & Garden City Mall.
Frieeca Pharmacy- Wandegeya
Majex Pharmacy-Kajjansi
WestLink Pharmacy; Lubowa Quality Village Mall & Kitende, Entebbe Road.
Asian African Commodities- Italian Supermarket; Muyenga-Kabalagala.
Kasumba Square-Busega, Kampala
Access Pharmacy-Bukoto, Kiira Road opposite Victoria Hospital
JohnRich Supermarket; Kabalagala, Gaba Road.
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