Stream of Life International: Press Room

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Streams of Life International's recent press releases and news covereage

Malaria deaths halved in two key countries

INSECTICIDE NETS AND DRUGS CREDITED
By David Brown, Washington Post

WASHINGTON - Widespread use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and state-of-the-art drugs have succeeded in cutting malaria deaths in half in two countries most heavily affected by the disease, the World Health Organization will report Friday.

The findings from Rwanda and Ethiopia are the first to show greater than 50 percent reduction in malaria mortality nationwide in "high-burden" countries. Such dramatic reductions had been achieved previously only in smaller regions or in countries where the disease is rare or intermittent.

The new results suggest what may be possible in dozens of other countries and are likely to spur efforts already under way to roll out the relatively low-cost interventions, whose effects are measurable within months.

Malaria is responsible for 2 percent of all deaths worldwide and 9 percent of deaths in Africa. About 1.1 million deaths - almost all in children - are directly attributable to the tropical disease, and at least 1 million more occur from complications such as severe anemia. In Africa, where most cases occur, malaria costs $12 billion a year in medical expenses and lost productivity.

"This is the first time we have seen these results with the new tools," said Arata Kochi, head of malaria programs for WHO.

"This is a genuinely historic achievement," said Richard G.A. Feachem, former director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "This is not theoretical. We do not have to wait for a vaccine or new drugs. If we implement today's technologies aggressively on a national scale, we will have a big impact."

Two key items in the current "tool kit" are bed nets impregnated with insecticide that lasts three to five years and treatment with at least two drugs. One of them is artemisinin, a compound originally derived from a Chinese herbal medicine.

Artemisinin-containing therapies (ACTs) are oral drugs that work quickly and are often life-saving when the brain is infected by the malaria parasite.

The Ripple Effect

Streams of Life International receives 501(c) (3) status from Federal Government

On March 18th, 2007, Streams of Life International was officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Services and Department of Commerce as a 501(c) (3) public charity. This status means that SOLI is a tax exempt non-profit organization. Special thanks to SOLI's Board of Directors, Ashley Noah, Sandy Cooper, John Turns, Linda Noah, and Jana Turns, for the vital and active role they played in achieving this significant milestone.

Ethiopia: Hospital Secures Medical Equipment, Supplies

The Ethiopian Herald
12/6/06

ENA, Assosa - Ethiopian Call Ministry [Streams of Life International], an NGO operating in Assosa town has donated medical supplies and equipments worth over 250,000 birr to the Assosa Hospital Monday.

Organization President Arisha Nowo [sic, Ashley Noah] handed over the donation, which includes surgical tools, injections and medicines, among others, to Doctor Asaye Chekol, medical director of the Assosa Hospital.

Recent UCLA Graduate Starts Non-Profit, Delivers $30,000 in Medical Supplies to Ethiopia

12/29/06

SAN RAMON, Calif. - Dec. 29 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Streams of Life International (SOLI), founded by Ashley Noah, a 23-year old recent UCLA graduate, led a team of volunteers to Ethiopia to provide medical care, donate $30,000 USD in medical supplies, and refurbish a pediatrics room. Their efforts were concentrated at the Assosa Hospital, located in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. This gift generated excitement in the community and received Ethiopian television and newspaper coverage.

The SOLI team reported the 100-bed hospital not only lacked basic medical supplies, but also standard equipment, facility maintenance, clean water sources and the medical staff necessary to manage the needs of the 600,000+ people living in the region. Over the next several years, SOLI plans to expand activities in Ethiopia and is partnering with the Blair Foundation to build a second hospital in the Benishangul-Gumuz region.

When asked what motivated this effort, Ashley Noah replied, "As a young person, I never understood the power I had to impact this world until I visited Ethiopia and I realized even a small action could touch many lives. My initial plan was to collect bed sheets for the Assosa Hospital, but what began as a simple activity has expanded into a significant endeavor."

Ashley Noah founded Streams of Life International, Inc. in 2005 to improve the health status and quality of life for individuals living in developing nations by strengthening in-country health care and implementing self-sustaining support systems.

SOLI is a volunteer-based non-profit organization, with offices in San Ramon, California and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

For more information about SOLI, and information regarding online donations, visit www.estreams.org.