We have returned home from Bangladesh after completing 3 weeks of teaching an intense Health Promoters course through Mission to the World (MTW). The 25 students were from many different villages and tribal groups and about half of them will be using their training as they go out as missionaries and spread the gospel message in Muslim and Animistic villages. They were all at least 5 hrs and many 2 days away from the nearest medical care.
The course was taught with the assistance of Pastors Zar Lawm, KL and Rama who translated our teaching into Bengali and the Bawm tribal languages. Students were given Health teaching materials that were also translated as well as equipment and medications. The military provided soldiers to guard us while we were there. There have been kidnappings in the area where we taught.
The rate of mothers dying in pregnancy and childbirth in Bangladesh, is among the highest outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Less than 12% of all births are attended by a midwife, nurse or physician. For this reason, I taught a birthing class and also stressed gave the importance of nutrition and wellness of the pregnant woman. Malaria is endemic there and this contributes to the vast anemia, especially in pregnant women and children.
Students and translators told stories of pregnant women dying in their villages. The Health Promoters were given Permethrin-treated mosquito nets to distribute to families in their villages-especially those with children and pregnant women.. P. Falcip malaria is deadly and these mosquitos are prevalent after sundown. Sleeping under the nets can greatly decrease the incidence of dengue fever and malaria. They have all known people in their villages to die from those diseases. A mosquito will die within 1 1/2 minutes after it lands on a treated mosquito net. Thank-you to all who donated money for this life saving project!
