Government Advised to Fight Malaria Beyond Distribution of Mosquito Nets

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The fight against malaria in the country should not stop at distribution of mosquito nets, the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) has advised government, stating that stakeholders at all levels should implement other preventive measures against the disease.

Speaking at the commemoration of World Mosquito Day at Jahi II community in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman PECAN, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, Mr. Terungwa Abari, said the main purpose of the World Mosquito Day is to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases and their impact on global health in honour of Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery on August 20 in 1897 that anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria.

Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2022 report on the disease, Abari who is also the national vice chairman of PECAN, said malaria is a major public health concern in Nigeria, with an estimated 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths due to the disease in 2021.

He noted that: “Nigeria has the highest burden of malaria globally, accounting for nearly 27% of the global malaria burden. The risk of transmission exists throughout the country, all year round. However, the incidence of malaria is highest in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country,” he said.

He said beyond commemorating Sir Ronald Ross’ seminal discovery, the day provides another opportunity to review how far the fight against mosquito has gone in the country and enlighten more people, assist communities, save lives, and make a difference.

He said mosquitoes also cause dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya diseases.

He said: “According to the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria alone claimed over 600,000 lives in 2022, a stark reminder of the challenges we face in eradicating this preventable disease.

“The theme for the world mosquito day 2024 is ‘accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’. This year’s theme stresses the need to address the gaps in accessing malaria prevention, detection and treatment.

“PECAN Abuja is, therefore, calling on all stakeholders from the Government, Health Organizations, Environmental Health Practitioners, International Donor Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Media Practitioners, Civil Society Organisations, Community-based Associations, Faith-based organisations, to synergise their efforts in tackling the world’s deadliest killer – the mosquito, through multi-pronged approaches.

“We call on governments at all levels to step up deliberate efforts at controlling and minimising mosquitoes in our communities to the barest minimum. A lot of attention has been focused on diagnosis and treatment which is commendable. There has also been some progress in vaccine development. But more efforts need to be directed at the causative agent – the source of the whole malaise – the mosquito,” Abari added.

He stressed the need for continuous enlightenment and increased advocacy for sustainable practices that protect the environment while controlling mosquito populations is critical.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, which combine cultural practices, biological control, habitat management, technological innovations and community participation, can be effective in reducing the scourge of the mosquito.

“Source site management has to be enhanced. That’s where we the professionals come in. Intensive source site management activities including larviciding, adulticiding and other professional interventions will go a long way in this battle against this tiny devastating devil -the mosquito,” he further said.

He highlighted the need to engage only licensed and certified professionals in this sector should be engaged in this fight, to ensure the safety of both human health and the environment. Engaging the services of quacks can lead to more dangers than expected gains.

During the commemoration, members of the association cleaned the dirty Jahi environment, fumigated some parts of the slum and distributed over 50 mosquito nets.

The Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) was established in 1989 as an Association of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) certified professional pest control providers.

The objectives of the association include maintaining ethical and professional standards in the pest control industry as well as safeguarding the health and wealth of the public and the environment.

Meanwhile, Suleyman Fatima, an Environmental Health Officer who represented the Registrar, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr.  Yakubu Baba, said health education is critical in the fight against malaria, saying most locals in rural communities lack adequate knowledge on the dangers of mosquito as a vector.

The Chief Jahi 2 community, Salihu Adamu, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, thanked PECAN for the intervention in their community, saying it will go a long way in helping the people fight the killer disease malaria.