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FG to Give 28.6m Children Malaria Chemo-preventionTreatment
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
As part of measures to check malaria scourge in Nigeria, the federal government has commenced seasonal malaria chemo-prevention treatment on children across the country.
The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) which disclosed this to journalists at the National Media Meeting on the Global Fund Malaria Community-Led Monitoring Project being implemented by ACOMIN, also said a campaign to create awareness amongst the populace on certain preventive and Control measures against malaria during the festive season is ongoing.
It said the festive season presents an opportunity to create awareness about significant health issues such as malaria which has continued to affect communities around the country.
ACOMIN’s advisory came on the heels of the 2024 World Malaria Report recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) which showed that Nigeria still carries the heaviest global burden of malaria, accounting for 26 percent of global malaria cases (about 68,136,000).
The same report showed that the country has 39.3 percent of global malaria deaths in children under 5 years and 30.9 percent of all malaria deaths globally.
In his message by the ACOMIN National Coordinator, Mr. Ayo Ipinmoye, said that Nigerians should take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from malaria
He said: “According to the 2024 World Malaria Report, Nigeria carried the heaviest global burden of malaria, accounting for 26 percent of global malaria cases (68,136,000 cases estimated), 39.3% of global malaria deaths in children under 5 years, and 30.9 percent of all malaria deaths globally.
“Nigeria also had the highest number of children receiving at least one dose of seasonal malaria chemo-prevention (SMC), with 28.6 million children treated per cycle”.
He said urged citizens to remember to adopt preventive measures that will help to control surge in malaria affliction.
Apart from keeping their surroundings clean, devoid of stagnant waters, Ipinmoyesaid they can use insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying.
According to Ipinmoye, despite advancements in understanding and managing malaria, certain factors still impede progress in controlling and eliminating the disease
ACOMIN Coordinator revealed that contrary to people’s beliefs that mosquito live in dirty water, the disease vector also likes to breed in clean, stagnant ponds.
“As we move forward into the festive season, we are calling on all community members to become malaria ambassadors. This means leading by example, taking ownership of personal and community health, and actively participating in malaria prevention activities,” said Ipinmoye.
The coordinator said that communities can also educate their neighbours about the importance of using insecticide treated nets and advocate for local solutions to control mosquito population.
“By working together, we can ensure that the joy of the festive season is celebrated safely, with malaria no longer posing a threat to the communities,” he said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Country Coordinating Mechanism-Nigeria overseeing the HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and RSSH, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen, said that relevant stakeholders should ensure more effective utilization of available funds and materials towards eradicating the malaria scourge.
He said a network of organizations including development partners are presently working to ensure that there are enhanced collaborative effort in addressing malaria scourge at the grassroot level.
Ibrahim however said that for the target of malaria elimination to be achieved, massive sensitization is needed to help disseminate information on how to manage and prevent malaria.