By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Health Experts have called for collective efforts to eliminate Malaria as the World marks Malaria day.
Speaking at the event to mark World Malaria Day in Makurdi, the State Malaria Elimination Program Manager, Mrs Susan Abege noted that the disease still remain a health challenge the world over, which must be tackled by all and sundry.
According to her the disease affects communities, house holds who need to be empowered to play a key role in the fight against the deadly disease.
The Program Manager explained that according to the 2018 National Geographic Health Survey, Malaria prevalence rate in Benue State has dropped from 43-13.4 percent, adding that more needed to be done towards eradicating the disease in 2030.
Mrs Abege identified pregnant women as well as under five years children as most vulnerable to the disease. She admonished expectant mothers to go for regular check to ensure the protection of their unborn babies.
“People should sleep inside their nets, keep their environments clean. when they have fever they should go to a health facility and get tested because not all fever that are Malaria”, she stated.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Terseer Ahemen stressed that there was great improvement in Malaria prevention and control in past years in the state despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
His words: “In 2020 partners provided 3.4 million mosquito nets to the citizens of Benue State. This year too there will be mass campaign where at least every house hold would get 2 mosquito nets.
The theme for this year’s Malaria day is ” Harness Innovation to reduce Malaria disease burden and save lives.”
