Sven Torfinn

Sleeping Sickness ward in village hospital. A young man, John, is held firmly by his sister while doctors try to install a new intravenous drip. In stage two of the disease the sleeping sickness parasites start to effect the brain which makes the sufferer aggressive and confused. Sometimes he has to be tied to the bed so that the doctors can treat him. Sleeping sickness is a daily threat to more than 60 million men, women and children in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, 22 of which are among the least developed countries in the world. The estimated number of people thought to have the disease is between 300 000 and 500 000 and the majority of these will die without ever having been diagnosed. The disease is a major obstacle to the development of entire regions, decreasing the labour force, hampering production and the capacity to work.