Mortein's Commitment to Making Bareilly Malaria-Free Amplifies on World Malaria Day 2024

Bareilly: World Malaria Day was commemorated with great fervor as Mortein, in partnership with Prayatna, introduced a school curriculum on malaria and unveiled a distinctive mosquito sculpture in Bareilly as part of the Mission Zero Malaria initiative. The primary focus of the program is to educate the residents of Bareilly on malaria prevention measures in a bid to make the city malaria-free. Mortein Mission Zero Malaria collaborated with the renowned artist, Dr. Bibhuti Adhikary, to create a captivating public installation aimed at spreading awareness about mosquito-borne illnesses, especially malaria.

In Uttar Pradesh, malaria continues to pose a significant public health concern, with Bareilly district alone contributing to a substantial portion of the state's malaria cases. This underscores the critical need for targeted interventions in the region. Since its establishment in 2023, Mortein Mission Zero Malaria has been dedicated to raising health awareness and fostering behavioral changes within Bareilly communities.

Gaurav Jain, the Executive Vice President of Reckitt â€" South Asia, highlighted the importance of eradicating malaria by 2030 as a crucial global and national health goal. He emphasized that access to health should be a fundamental right for all individuals and stressed the role of effective mosquito control, timely diagnosis, and proper treatment in preventing malaria. The unveiling of the mosquito sculpture in Bareilly is envisioned to serve as a continuous reminder for the community to remain vigilant until the city attains a malaria-free status.

Pratik Kumar, the President of Prayatna, expressed his delight in partnering with Reckitt to combat malaria on World Malaria Day. He emphasized the significance of collective action and unwavering determination in defeating malaria, underscoring the need for continuous efforts towards a malaria-free Bareilly and a malaria-free world.

Sesame Workshop India's Managing Director, Sonali Khan, introduced an engaging school curriculum on malaria as part of the Mission Zero Malaria initiative. The curriculum features quirky characters such as Malaria Jasoos, Malaria Police, Malaria Guru, and Miss Malaria to educate children on the prevention of malaria. The educational kit, Stop Malaria Club, aligned with the STEM curriculum, not only aims to prevent malaria but also strives to nurture a generation of well-informed and responsible citizens equipped to tackle malaria effectively.

The striking mosquito installation at Machhar Chowk in Bareilly, reminiscent of iconic public art installations in Moradabad and Gujarat, aims to initiate conversations and raise awareness among schools, communities, organizations, and healthcare professionals regarding malaria prevention and control. The artwork, featuring an 18-foot-tall structure with three pillars and three mosquitoes, serves as a poignant representation of the threat posed by mosquitoes. The installation includes three lights that change colors based on the level of mosquito infestation in the city, signaling the need for precautionary measures.

Renowned Sculpture Artist, Dr. Bibhuti Adhikary, emphasized the significant social impact that art can have in addressing pertinent issues such as malaria. Through the collaboration with Reckitt, he transformed the vision of raising malaria awareness into a tangible artistic creation. Adhikary believes that art has the power to convey important messages and raise community awareness, thereby inspiring collective action against malaria.

Taking inspiration from the 'Know. Act. Control' framework, Mortein and Sesame Workshop India developed an extensive school curriculum on malaria targeted towards children aged 5-15 years. The curriculum includes engaging educational materials such as activity sheets, storybooks, calendars, wellness wheels, and club badges featuring fun characters to effectively communicate with children. The program aims to reach over 4 lakh children across 850 schools in Bareilly, equipping them with essential knowledge and fostering behavioral changes necessary for malaria prevention.

As part of the Mission Zero Malaria program, Mortein remains steadfast in its commitment to making Bareilly a malaria-free city. Through strategic partnerships, technological advancements, and community engagement, the initiative aims to alleviate the burden of malaria and create a healthier, malaria-free future for generations to come.

About Reckitt:

Reckitt is dedicated to protecting, healing, and nurturing the environment in its pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world. The company is behind several trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Dettol, Lysol, and more. Reckitt's mission is to provide high-quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment as a basic right for all individuals, not a privilege. With a diverse global team of 40,000 colleagues, Reckitt is committed to purpose-led brands, sustainability, and societal equity.