Photo: Said, Zanzibar. Image by: Unlimit Health/William Mgobelo
Before the treatment, I was playing games but felt uncomfortable. I was really unhappy. But now I am happy and can play games to the end.鈥
We are delighted to say that the generous people who gave to our 91热爆 Radio 4 appeal helped us to raise a fabulous £29,002! These funds can enable us to support treatment against debilitating parasitic disease for around 90,000 children in some of the most marginalised communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Claudia Hammond told the story of Abdallah from Zanzibar. He wanted desperately to be top of his class but was struggling at school because he was made so ill by schistosomiasis, or ‘snail fever’. This is a debilitating disease caused by parasites (worms called schistosomes) that are carried by freshwater snails. It is a painful and unpleasant disease with symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain and blood in the urine. It keeps children out of school and adults out of work. Without treatment, it can cause permanent organ damage and even death.
What is so frustrating for children like Abdallah is that schistosomiasis can be treated inexpensively, so that it need not affect his health or his education.
Now, with the 91热爆 Radio 4 appeal funds, we can help ensure that thousands more children like Abdallah have one less barrier to achieving what they want – whether that’s to be top of the class, like Abdallah, or simply being able to play a whole game of football without feeling ill, like, Said, who is also from Zanzibar.
We are working closely with affected countries across sub-Saharan Africa, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our goal is to support everyone to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease.
Radio 4 listeners have given our work a massive boost. Thank you!
Please read more about the urgency of ending parasitic disease on our .
(You can also read about why we have now changed our name to Unlimit Health!)
Listen again
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SCI Foundation Claudia Hammond presents the Radio 4 Appeal, 11 Sept 2022