World Malaria Day: Experts Call For Intensified Efforts

Experts in the health sector have called for intensified efforts to tackle malaria as Nigeria celebrates World Malaria Day, 2024.

They made the call at the Kogi State Ministry of Health during an event to commemorate the day in Lokoja.

The event which was organized by the Kogi State Government in conjunction with the World Health Organization, WHO, Malaria Consortium as well as other partners also featured a road show on malaria awareness, free testing and treatment.

Speaking at the occasion, Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Doctor Adam Abdulazeez Adeiza explained that despite efforts by government, NGOs and other stakeholders to check the disease, malaria was still high among children under 5 years and in the general population at 27 per cent.

The Commissioner however called for concerted efforts in reversing the trend through compliance with malaria prevention methods like sleeping inside Insecticide Treated Nets, giving children Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, going for antenatal care by pregnant women and getting tested and treated at health facilities for those with the symptoms.

Doctor Adam said government remained committed to revamping the health sector through human and infrastructural development and other support for health services.

The Commissioner further appreciated WHO and other partners in their quest to tackle malaria and other diseases in Kogi state.

On his part, Kogi State W.H.O. Coordinator, Doctor Raji Mukhtar noted that malaria prevention among pregnant women had improved in the State but more needed to be done for children under age five.

Also the Director Community Health and Social Development, Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, SPHCDA, Doctor Onimisi Abdullahi, the planned revamping of 63 Primary healthcare centres across the state would improve access to healthcare at the grassroots.

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

Ohikwo Muhammad, Edited By Grace Namiji