Rowida Briema, Community Health Mobilizer, Sudan
As a community health mobilizer, Rowida played a vital role in a recent campaign to distribute millions of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect communities from malaria in Sudan.
Rowida spoke to families in the town of Damazine, Blue Nile State, about the campaign, explained how malaria is transmitted and emphasized how the consistent and correct use of mosquito nets can protect people – especially children and pregnant women – from the deadly disease.
“I love my community...I deliver critical messages that provide them with the knowledge and information they need to keep healthy,” she says.
In May 2025 the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Fund and UNICEF, launched a large-scale campaign aimed at distributing nearly 15.6 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets across Sudan.
This campaign included the distribution of dual AI insecticide-treated nets, which use two types of insecticides to better protect against mosquitoes resistant to standard nets. As resistance is mostly concentrated in certain regions of Sudan, these nets are strategically allocated to high-risk areas identified through mosquito monitoring.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced millions, many of whom are now living in overcrowded settlements with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and health care, increasing the risk of malaria transmission.
Despite the conflict, health workers like Rowida continue to provide essential care in their communities. Her outreach ensures that nets are not only distributed, but also understood and used effectively to save lives.