Joining the fight against malaria

Hannah Mumford, Aberdeen – UK

Hannah contracted malaria in April 2019 whist living in Monrovia with her husband Andrew – former MAF Liberia pilot. Despite taking all the advised antimalarial medication, she suffered an acute form of the disease. Four years on, Hannah still experiences side-effects, and her life has never been the same. 

Now living in Aberdeen and practicing podiatry for the NHS, she recalls her long road to recovery and how the disease may impact her life forever.

Hannah, Andrew and their three children lived in Chad and Liberia where Andrew was an MAF pilot for nine years. Credit: LuAnne Cadd

‘My name is Hannah, and I am a podiatrist, mum of three and a malaria survivor.  

Andrew, my husband, is a pilot and we joined MAF in 2012 compelled by our strong Christian faith and desire to serve isolated communities. Our first assignment was in Chad – one of the MAF’s hottest programmes, and then Liberia – one of the wettest.  

We moved back to Aberdeen in April 2021 after nine years with many incredible experiences and fond memories of our children growing up in Africa. Being part of MAF’s mission to reach inaccessible places using aviation was a privilege.  

Andrew is now a captain with the Scottish Air Ambulance. I have returned to practice in podiatry for the NHS, and our kids are settled in schools in Aberdeen. We are very blessed to be part of Gilcomston Church, which has been a wonderful support to help us re-adjust to life in Scotland and has supported us faithfully throughout our time living overseas with MAF.  

My malaria journey began in April 2019. I woke up feeling achy one Monday morning, but I ignored what I thought was the regular tiredness of a busy mum. On Tuesday, I put off my weekly food shop. On Wednesday, determined, I arrived at the supermarket feeling nauseous and dizzy.  

My driver Moses warned me in the car that I had malaria. “Of course not,” I joked, “I’m just under the weather.”  

Moses caught me as I collapsed in the supermarket. I barely remember the journey home, but I could hear him beeping the horn to push through the busy traffic. He wanted to take me straight to hospital, but I still refused to believe it was malaria.  

I spent the next week on the sofa or in bed. Moses faithfully did the school runs and returned one day to me having dropped and smashed a drinking glass. I was unconscious.’

‘Three weeks later, I still couldn’t walk around the house. After a month, I could barely make it to the front gate. If I managed to wave my kids off to school, I would spend the rest of the day on the sofa. I nibbled crackers, and our amazing community cooked meals for the family. It was a difficult and painful time but we were very well supported. 

I remember days of just listening to the waves on the sea – all I could do was pray. I had no idea malaria could have this kind of effect. But I’ve since found out that hundreds of malaria survivors never return to full health. Some struggle physically, some psychologically. Others emotionally.  

But the scars carried by survivors like me still don’t compare to the unimaginable loss of life for those unable to access treatment.’

‘I could live with the side-effects of malaria for the rest of my life. I am one of the fortunate ones who made it to hospital. A child dies every two minutes to malaria across the world – I won’t forget those less fortunate than me.’

Hannah Mumford – malaria survivor

The Mumford family visited a remote village while living in Liberia between 2018 and 2021. Credit: photograph provided by family.

‘If I am honest, even 15 months ago, I wouldn’t have comprehended going back to work. There are still days when I stay in and miss family outings if I know my legs and energy levels won’t cope. I find these moments incredibly frustrating, sad, and demoralising. The kids sometimes beg me to come, but I know that physically I just can’t manage. I guess we have learned to accept this is our way of life. I pace myself, and Andrew steps in often going above and beyond to keep our busy family ticking over.  

Aside from the physical side-effects, I often experience brain fog. I sometimes feel overwhelmed making plans or being in large social gatherings. Rest is a key component to my week which must be factored in every day – even just 30 minutes of sitting down. It’s rather extraordinary that I am now able to work two days a week, and I absolutely love it. I’m so grateful to have come this far in my recovery. I know I am very blessed to have accessed treatment at the critical moment.  

Perhaps I will live with the side-effects of malaria for the rest of my life, but I find it so sad that some people risk not taking antimalarials when they travel. This disease kills more than 600,000 people every year – I am one of the fortunate ones who made it to hospital.  

I will never forget the strength God gave me in those darkest times, but equally, I won’t forget those who are less fortunate than me.’

Malaria is the biggest killer in Liberia according to the World Health Organisation. WHO country representative in Liberia Dr Peter Celement says, ‘Malaria continues to challenge us, and remains the main cause of illness and death in our communities. We must combat malaria with relevant tools that are evidence-based that will trigger a paradigm shift in malaria interventions. The outcome of this survey will unearth innovative tools for malaria control and elimination in Liberia.’

In May 2022, USAID said that the number of malaria cases in Liberia reached over 900,000 and that this disease was the leading cause of infant mortality.

In October 2022, Liberian health authorities launched a nationwide malaria survey aimed at tracking the country’s progress in the fight against malaria. This household survey will be essential in gathering information about malaria prevalence and interventions such as ownership of mosquito nets and treatment for pregnant women and children aged between six months and five years.

Last December, MAF flew equipment to Zwedru in eastern Liberia for VectorLink – funded by USAID – enabling them to carry out scientific research into mosquitoes.

MAF flies medical supplies to Liberian hospitals such as this one in Harper (below). Dr Sterman Toissant says: ‘We believe that health is a human right. Roads are very bad, but with MAF, we can carry medications in an emergency.’ Credit: Paula Alderblad