Malaria Control Project
In 2003, Marathon, in collaboration with its business partners, the government of Equatorial Guinea, and international non-profit and research organizations, launched a $15.8 million effort to reduce the transmission of malaria on Bioko Island. The innovative approach to malaria eradication goes beyond focusing on a single cause and addresses the numerous and diverse factors leading to malaria transmission. Project interventions include:
- Indoor residual spraying provided to every house on the island
- Door-to-door bed net distribution providing coverage to over 111,000 beds
- Malaria testing and treatment provided free of charge at local health centers
- Improved national health information system to monitor health risks
- An innovative information, education and communication campaign to educate the public on malaria and prevention strategies
- An extensive surveillance and monitoring system to provide real time data on the program and to serve as a warning against future outbreaks
In its first two years, the project succeeded in reducing malaria transmitting mosquitoes by 95 percent and the presence of malaria parasites in children by 44 percent. As of 2008 measurements, Marathon has reduced the presence of malaria transmitting mosquitoes by 99 percent and has decreased the presence of malaria parasites in children to 49 percent below pre-project levels.
Marathon has been recognized for the project's success with awards from World Oil magazine for Health, Safety, Environment/Sustainable Development, the African Investor Award for Best Initiative in Support of Millennium Development Goals, the Global Business Award for Business Excellence-Malaria, and other organizations.
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Malaria Control Project Fact Sheet (PDF, 304KB)
