…. WHO calls for malaria planning, prevention at communities
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria commemorates the 2024 World Malaria Day, WMD, in Abuja, the USAID , the Nigeria Deputy Mission Director, Sara Werth disclosed that the US Government contributes at least $73 million yearly to Nigeria to fight malaria, and over $914 million since 2011.
Werth stated this at the 2024, World Malaria Day, Ministerial Press Briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
She said that the funding also comes with global expertise to fight and eliminate the significant malaria challenges in Nigeria.
The USAID Representative lamented that in 2022, Nigeria has account for 31 percent of global deaths and 38 percent of global deaths of under five children.
Furthermore , Werth stated that there has been a sight upward success in Nigeria as malaria deaths decreased from 194,000 in 2021 to 188. 480 in 2022″, adding that malaria prevention in Nigeria has contributed to the overall global success of the President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI.”
“The President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI, has helped to save over 10.6 million lives and prevented1.7 billion malaria infections worldwide.”
Part of the malaria success recorded in Nigeria, Werth enumerated was the PMI procurement and district of 99 million insecticide – treated bed nets which has protected over 180 million people from malaria.
“Furthermore, three million children under five years of age are protected from malaria, after PMI assisted administering 35 million doses of malaria preventive.” treatment”.
She also called for a global and collective fight to eliminate malaria, the deadly disease.
‘As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs in our collective battle against malaria, let us reaffirm our commitment to a future where no family in Nigeria fears the threat of this disease”, Werht pleaded.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization, Organization, WHO, Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo has called for the need to bring the communities into the planning and prevention of malaria to change the narrative of the disease in Nigeria.
Mulombo who was represented by the WHO Deputy Country Representative, Dr. Alex Chimbaru said, ” The WHO African region shoulders the heavy malaria burden of 94% and 95% of malaria cases and deaths respectfully.”
According to him, the main countries contributing to the increase in cases of malaria in 2022 were Pakistan (+2.1 million), Ethiopia (+1.3 million), Nigeria (+1.3 million), Uganda (+597 000) and Papua New Guinea (+423 000).”
“The time to Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World is now”.
He stressed that some factors promoting the deadly disease in endemic countries are , Climate change and humanitarian emergencies, including natural disasters and conflicts in malaria-endemic countries, are displacing populations, making them vulnerable to the disease.
“This reduces opportunities for accessing preventive and treatment services by these groups, thus hindering progress on achieving the vision of a malaria-free world.”
The WHO Lead in Nigeria advised that to change the narrative of malaria in the country, there is a need, said, “The fight against malaria is not just a health issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights.”
“By accelerating our efforts to expand access to life-saving interventions, improve health systems, and address the underlying determinants of malaria transmission.”
Daybreak reports that the theme for World Malaria Day 2024, is “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World”.
