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Stopping the spread of river blindness

Gouagna (G) has been helping to stop the spread of river blindness disease since the programme began in the area. We talked to her about her work and motivations.

How do you feel about being the only female Mectizan® distributor?
G: I'm very proud to be the only woman doing this, although I would also like to see more female distributors. But there aren't enough women who know how to write, and availability is a problem: the women are busy cooking, cleaning and working in the fields.

What motivates you in your work as a distributor?
The fact that the drug, Mectizan®, has a positive effect and that people are not blind because of this treatment.

What other responsibilities do you have?
Whenever NGOs come to Tienfala and begin doing research, they are referred to me. Also, there is a women's centre in Tienfala, where clothes are made and literacy is taught. I'm responsible for the centre's finances. I represent the women at the local council and at home, living with my sister, my responsibilities are making clothes, washing, cooking and helping to look after my sister's two children. My husband lives far from here and my own children have died.

Have you suffered from river blindness?

Yes: after I finished school, instead of marrying early I went to Bamako and found a job as a maid in a European household. My employers saw the skin troubles I had and sent me to the hospital, thinking I had a simple skin disease. But the doctors identified the disease as river bilndness and began treating me with Notezine. Notezine creates its own problems: my skin became more itchy and nodules grew all over my body. Everyone was afraid of this drug. But I've been taking Mectizan® since it was introduced in Mali. Scientists from the labs came here to Tienfala and did some research recently: they did a biopsy on me and said I no longer carry the river blindness germ.

Have other people in your family suffered from river blindness?
Both my parents became blind when they grew old. I thought I myself would become blind because when I was young, particularly in the cold season, my vision was a bit blurred.

Are there any difficulties in the distribution process?
Only at the start of the programme, because people thought it would have side effects like Notezine. But those who took it first explained to others that there were no problems, and now no one refuses. The problem we do have is that the villagers don't help us to purchase the things we need to carry out distributions. They take for granted that we will do this work, because we are all related.

How long would you like to continue with this work as a distributor?
I'd like to remain a distributor always, unless my physical condition no longer permits it.

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