The gradual spike in the incidence of malaria in Akwa Ibom has been attributed to non compliance with guidelines by health care providers.
Programme Officer of the Providers Behavior Change, Mr Faramade Alalade who made this known at a Providers Behaviour Change Workshop in Uyo yesterday said that malaria could only be eliminated through compliance with the guidelines.
Alalade who dissuaded members of the public from taking malaria medications without testing, stressed that every fever was not malaria.
As a clamp-down measure on non-compliance, he called for sanctions on health care providers found to be operating outside the National guidelines for malaria diagnosis and treatment.
In a remark, state Health Commissioner Prof Augustine Umoh lamented that despite all the resources sunk in, malaria remained a troubling topical issue in the area.
Umoh noted that there were gaps which inhibited the expected outcomes in the strive to have a malaria-free society and charged the participants to apply themselves to what they learned and step down the knowledge gained to others.
The commissioner commended Breakthrough Action Nigeria for their visible contribution in implementing health promotion, social and behavioural change interventions in malaria elimination, tuberculosis, media and health systems strengthening in the state.
He reiterated the unrelenting commitment of the present administration to nurture a healthy citizenry, and invited well-meaning individuals and organisations to partner with government in this regards.
