Success story

The AP is reporting that in Africa, due to a Measles immunization drive, deaths from the disease have fallen 91 percent since 2000. That, in and of itself, is fantastic news but the even more important, the effort has established a network of volunteers that can be utilize for other public health initiatives.

Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chairman of the board of the American Red Cross, said the real beauty of the Measles Initiative is that its trained volunteers — some of them riding bicycles, horses and even camels to reach remote areas — can be pressed into service for a range of action on basic health care.

In 2006, 21 million insecticide treated bed nets for malaria prevention were distributed and 87 million doses of vitamin A, which prevents blindness, were handed out during measles vaccination campaigns.

"It's having a tremendous impact on child mortality," said McElveen-Hunter.

Not to sound glib here but it is heartening to see some good news coming out of Africa for a change.