Health

Malaria: Experts Advocate More Funding, Use of Insecticide-Treated Net

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By Fasilat Lawal, Zion Oyelade

Experts have advocated for more funding in the Health sector more collaboration with stakeholders to eradicate malaria in the country. 

They made the call in commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day in Ibadan. 

A medical expert, Dr Olufemi Aworinde explained that malaria could be deadly if not well treated early, and mostly affects the vulnerable in the society who do not have access to medical care at the grassroots. 

Dr Aworinde said, expectant mothers and children below the age of 5 are predisposed to malaria due to their low  immunity .

Speaking on this year’s theme: Accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world, Dr Aworinde called on African leaders to collaborate with one another and invest both capital and human resources in tackling

malaria scourge to reduce the burden of the disease and death in the Continent.

The medical practitioner called on government to  allocate more fund to the Health Sector and also Partner foreign Organizations in the Sector 

A pharmacist, Abiodun Ajibade, pointed out that the cost of Anti Malaria drugs was high, and canvassed that government should subsidize the drugs to make them affordable to the  common man. 

An environmentalist, Abiodun Adegoke advised people to Prevent malaria through clearing of mosquito breeding sources such as drainages and keeping their surrounding clean. 

Some residents of Ibadan who spoke with Radio Nigeria equally called on government to control the prices of pharmaceutical products particularly, Anti malaria drugs and make insecticide treated mosquito nets available to the public.

A public health practitioner in Osun State, Doctor Funmilola Owolabi who promoted the merits of using insecticide-treated-net to fence around the bed before sleep said mosquitoes did have free-day while one had fallen into a deep sleep.

Doctor Owolabi said no one was excluded from using insecticide-treated-net especially the pregnant woman and babies who would be in need of care.

A nurse, Mrs Toriola Adeleke who frowned at the attitude of those who had received the net from government but had refused to use it accordingly said many would rather prefer to use the net for farming while others would cut it into pieces for domestic use.

Mrs Adeleke advocated more public sensitization that would make the people see the fight against Malaria menace as a collective fight. 

She said Malaria had not only caused the death of many in the world but had also led to many structural deficiencies of the body, which was why there must be need to keep people abreast of harm the infection does.

Others who spoke with Radio Nigeria including a public affairs analyst and health provider, Mr Adekunle Omosogo who lauded the effort of the federal government under the administration of President Bola Tinubu for developing an home-grown medicine to combat Malaria said Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) was the recommended first line antimalarial medicine for uncomplicated malaria.

Mr. Omosogo advised that people should seek medical help from professionals first even if there would be need for the use of less efficacious medicines such as Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine.

The theme for this year World Malaria Day is ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.

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Foreign

Malaria: Cameroon Rolls Out WHO-Approved Vaccine

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Cameroon is rolling out the world’s first routine vaccine programme against malaria, in a global fight projected to save thousands of children’s lives across Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO)-approved RTS,S Vaccine, developed by British drugmaker GSK, is targeting infants in Cameroon’s 42 worst-affected districts.

The central African country will be the first country to administer doses through a routine immunisation programme, following successful pilot campaigns in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi.

The rollout, due to start on Monday, was described by health officials as a milestone in the decades-long effort to curb malaria in the continent.

Twenty other countries aim to roll out the programme this year, according to global vaccine alliance Gavi.

The four-dose vaccine is only about 30% effective and protection begins to fade after several months.

GSK said it can only produce about 15 million doses a year.

BBBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Health

Osun has a good record in malaria advocacy – Adeleke

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By Adenitan Akinola

The Federal Government has charged Osun State to pay its counterpart fund of about eight hundred million naira for three years as one of the benefiting thirteen Nigeria states in the ongoing Global Fund grant support for Malaria.

Osun State is expected to budget for about three hundred million naira annually to make up for the two hundred and sixty naira being 15% co-financing share expected to be provided for by the state.

Addressing Governor Ademola Adeleke during an advocacy visit on the insecticide Treated Net Campaign in Osogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Adebiyi Olufunso said the Global Fund was investing over five billion naira in Osun State between 2021-2023 to cover various activities aimed at combating Malaria disease in the state including Insecticide Treated Net, Malaria Rapid Diagnostics test kits and anti malaria drugs.

Represented by the Director of Surveillance, Evaluation and Operation Research of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Mr Chukwu Okonkwo, the Permanent Secretary said despite the huge resources being committed by the Global Fund, the counterpart funding of the benefiting states was still required to fill the existing gaps.

“The Global Fund co-financing condition requires that Nigeria contributes at least 15% of the grant value over the grant period. Therefore, Osun State is required to Budget for and release the minimum sum of #784,898,668 for the control of malaria in your state over the 3-year period of the grant.(i.e, an average of 261, 632,889.33 annually).

He stated that though malaria prevalence nationwide has reduced from 42% in 2010 to 22% in 2021, while in Osun State it reduced from 33% in 2015 to 19% in 2021,much is needed to be done to reduce its prevalence and deaths to 50 pet 1000 births by 2025 as set out in the current National Malaria Strategic plan.

“It is critical that malaria services not just continue uninterrupted but improve significantly of we are to achieve our set targets. If Malaria interventions are halted or disrupted, it is estimated that the current number of deaths due to malaria occuring every hour could double in Nigeria,and we could return to the levels recorded 20 years ago “. The Permanent Secretary said.

Responding, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke who was represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi promised to compliment every resources received from the Global Fund on the malaria elimination Programme.

Senator Adeleke explained that Osun State had a good record in the malaria advocacy, adding that his administration is concerned about the grassroots where the bulk of the population is domiciled.

“Osun has good track records in malaria advocacy and treated nets distribution. This year is not going to be an exemption. I am giving the entire process of the net distribution my full support. Our people will receive the nets and use them. This will contribute to a further reduction in the malaria burden in our dear State.”

The Governor appreciated the contributions of the Global Fund, the National Malaria Elimination Programme and all other partners towards the reduction of the burden of malaria in Osun State.

Earlier, the representatives of one of the partners, The Catholic Relief Services, Mr Emmanuel Obi appealed to the state government to prevail on the people for the utilisation of the Treated Net which he noted was more important than mere ownership.

Giving a breakdown of the Osun 2023 distribution exercise, the Manager of the OSUN ITN Campaign, Mr John Ocholi said the net distribution had been enumerated into 1,181 hubs comprising 3 persons in each of the hubs, who would distribute the nets to each household on the basis of the numbers of mothers.

Mr Ocholi urged the state government to support the campaign with media sponsorship to enlighten and mobilize the people.

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Health

Primary prevention, health education will reduce Malaria – Expert

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Primary prevention and health education are keys to reducing malaria prevalence in society.

A consultant family physician at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, UniOsun, Osogbo, Doctor Babajide Seriki disclosed this in an interview with Gold FM on the occasion of World Malaria Day.

While commending the state government for the availability of malaria drugs in government hospitals and the distribution of mosquito nets to residents, Doctor Seriki said the World Health Organization, WHO has approved a vaccine for malaria called Mosquirix.

He explained that cases of malaria are usually on the increase during the rainy season considering the dirty and bushy environment, hence the need to ensure regular cutting of grasses and prevention of stagnant water that could breed mosquitoes around the environment.

Doctor Seriki added that the elderly, pregnant women and under 5 children were at more risk of malaria, hence the need for people to embrace personal and physical hygiene.

Mojisola Oladele

Health

World Mosquito Day: Achieving Zero Malaria Target

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World mosquito day is observed annually to increase awareness on the importance of mosquito control.

It was originated in 1897 by Dr. Ronald Ross of the Liverpool school of tropical medicine.

Available records show that, over three hundred million cases of malaria occur worldwide each year and more than one million people die, most of whom young children in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Research also revealed that Nigeria bears a greater malaria burden than any other country of the world as over three hundred thousand Nigerians die each year as a result of the disease.

It is of great concern that despite Nigerian government partnership with many international organizations, malaria remains the leading causes of death among children in country.

During pregnancy, the disease can pose a life-threatening risk to both the mother and babies.

 Malaria also prevents adults and children from their daily activities such as going to work and school thereby contributing to economic hardship.

There is therefore need for environmental management which are responsible for malaria parasite.

This is because mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism. 

This can be done by clearing bushes around the house and other buildings to remove breeding sites and larvae of the mosquitoes.

Reliable and affordable diagnostic means for detection of malaria parasites is also essential to detect specific malaria antigens in a person’s blood if they are infected.

Although an improved understanding of the disease has led to more innovative preventive measures and medical treatments, it is very important that malaria elimination programme is strengthened to evolve relevant home grown means to achieve its goals.

In order to reduce the devastating effect of mosquitoes, the best ways of prevention are; the use of insecticide-treated nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and indoor residual spraying.

Federal and state governments should also strengthen health systems and build the skills of health workers to manage malaria control activities.

In addition, there must be equal access to health management tools for malaria at all levels, and this must embrace educating patent medicine sellers and incorporating knowledge of traditional or herbal medicine practices.

To achieve the theme for this year’s world mosquito day which is ‘reaching the zero malaria target’ Nigeria needs to develop new interventions for malaria control suitable for the population.

 Efforts should equally be geared towards drastic reduction of contact between humans and mosquitoes through surveillance which is a very important component of malaria elimination.

Nafiu Busari

Health

Malaria: Oyo Govt. Organises Quiz For Students

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As part of efforts to deepen awareness and knowledge about scourge of malaria, a quiz has been organised for some secondary schools in Oyo State.

The competition which was held in Ibadan and organised by Oyo state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the support of break through action Nigeria was intended to educate the students on malaria prevention.

Speaking during the programme, State Commissioner for Health, Doctor Bashir Bello enjoined the students to be committed towards saving lives and assist the communities to eradicate malaria.

Dr Bello appealed to the students and all residents of Ibadan to be ambassadors of malaria prevention by ensuring clean environment.

Earlier, Oyo State Coordinator for the break through action Nigeria, Mrs Toyin Afachung stressed the need for people to prevent themselves  from malaria .

Mr Afachung noted that celebrating with young ones could make them to be informed on how to combat malaria.

Nafiu Busari 

Health

Consider Malaria-Like Symptoms As COVID-19 Until Proven Otherwise – LASG

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The governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu wants medical workers and residents to consider malaria-like symptoms as COVID-19 until test proves otherwise.

He gave the advice while addressing a news conference at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Emphasising that the second wave of the COVID-19 virus infection which spreads faster has proven to be more dangerous than the first wave, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged health workers and residents to maintain a high level of suspicion especially while treating malaria-like symptoms.

“Any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven. Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free. The responsibility of fighting and defeating this Virus belongs to each and every one of us, and we must take this responsibility very seriously” He said 

The governor described the decision to reopen schools amidst the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a tough but necessary choice as findings show that over twenty-four thousand pupils are yet to return to School after the first wave of the COVID -19 pandemic, hence the recent decision to open schools after due consultations with key stakeholders. 

While schools management have been mandated to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols, the governor promised that officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Office of Education Quality Assurance would intensify monitoring to ensure full compliance and warned that the State Taskforce and Safety Commission would also continue with individual and corporate enforcement.  

The governor said: “I want to enjoin parents to ensure that the protocols of safety are adhered to in their homes and that they model responsible behaviour to their children at all times, in and out of the home. The Lagos State Government will deploy effective messaging and education while rigorously enforcing all guidelines through the respective State agencies. We will continue to clamp down on all persons and organisations who flout the protocols and guidelines we have established and we will not hesitate to bring defaulters to book”

Governor Sanwo-Olu renewed the appeal on Lagosians to mask up, observe social distancing and not to discriminate against those who are infected, and reassured them that pending the availability of vaccine, a robust testing, oxygen and home-based-care strategy have been put in place, even as more isolation centres are been reopened as a significant increase in bed occupancy from four per cent last year to seventy percent, this year is currently been witnessed.

He said so far, about five thousand COVID-19 cases have been managed under the home care strategy by @EkoTeleMed and advised anyone who has tested positive to access the service through the toll-free line: 08000EKOMED that is 08000356633.

“The telemedicine service is manned by professional medical personnel to help nurse infected individuals back to health. They also have the ability to assess the severity of patients’ conditions and facilitate the evacuation of worsening cases, if need be. The virus is not a death sentence, in most cases. Seeking help early and quickly significantly improves the chances of survival for severe to critical cases” He said.

Omolara Omosanya