Christian Mission Aid

Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) 
 In South Sudan.

For many people, the Guinea Worm may not be a familiar parasite. A guinea worm is the result of drinking contaminated water, which is polluted with the larvae of the guinea worm parasite.

Guinea worms are mainly found in the African tropics and parts of Asia.  It is a highly health-degrading parasite that must be eradicated at all costs. CMA has seen the devastating effects of the guinea worm among the Sudanese communities.  CMA began the Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Carter Center.  This eradication program is carried out alongside our other medical work in the Upper Nile Region of South Sudan (Bieh and Phou States).  To see how our efforts in Sudan are so critical to the overall world wide eradication, check the CDC link Progress Toward Global Dracunculiasis Eradication.

There are very few safe sources of water in the larger part of South Sudan. The major sources of water include swamps, pools and ponds. The water from these sources can only be made safe for drinking by filtration and boiling.  CMA has played a major role in providing water filters through the Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP). A few boreholes remain the safest source of drinking water in South Sudan.

With a committed team of trained health workers, CMA has seen great improvements in the state and decrease in the number of people infected with the guinea worm, as they have been educated on the mode of transmission and prevention.  CMA teams have walked miles, reaching many remote villages and educating the communities on the causes of the guinea worm and distributing thousands of filter cloths to assist them in preventing infection in the future.

What is a guinea worm?       
Other names: Medina worm, Dragon worm or Dracunculiasis.  
Species:  Dracunculus medinesis.              
Class:  Nematoda (Phylum Ascelminthes).
Particulars:  A parasite commonly found in man in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, West Indies and tropical South America.
Physical features:  Female grows to length of 50-120 cm (about 20-48 inches). Male rarely found because it dies upon mating within the host.  The male measures about 12-29 mm (0.5 - 1.1 inches).
Life Span: Female lives for 10-14 months. It bores close to the skin surface at which point a blister develops and bursts releasing millions of larvae in a fluid.  Transmission of the larvae is through water taken in and the cycle goes on.  The worm must be gently pulled out and wound onto a stick. 

Guinea worms breaking out of the foot. One person can have five different guinea worms breaking out of the same foot.  The guinea worm breaks out from any part of the lower body.

Trained Village Based Health Workers
CMA has trained hundreds of village based health workers who have a keen interest to help eradicate the guinea worm. CMA medical personnel have trained them on identifying Guinea worm infestations, treatment and various effective methods of prevention.  

The village based health workers (VBHWs), are appreciated and well respected by their communities.  The health workers spend many hours teaching and advising their community members on the disease. 

Education 
After many years of working in South Sudan, CMA has realized that for any project to be effective, educating the target group is the most important thing.  As a result of years of war, many people have gone without education for many years.  This has led to many Sudanese people accepting problems like those caused by the guinea worm as being part of life while these are health problems that can be completely eradicated and prevented. 

Are We Making A Difference?
Yes!  There is a difference in the lives of the people of Bieh and Phou states due to proper management of guinea worm infestation.  The cases of guinea worm infestation in these places have  been tremendously reduced according to the Carter Center’s data summaries. 

Cases of guinea worm infestation decreased from 8,038 cases in 1998 to 706 this year. On average 40% of the cases can be treated.  The guinea worm program has also distributed a total of 60,185 filters since 1998 thus preventing more people from getting infected with the guinea worm parasite.  

These notable reductions in the occurrence of the guinea worm infestation among the people has led to general improvement of their health. They now can be involved in many other income generating activities.  Better health means better living!