Despite significant investment in combating the endemic disease, malaria remains a prevalent public health challenge in Nigeria, with an estimated 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths reported in 2021.
During a medical outreach organized by the Westfield Development Initiative, in partnership with Diya Fatimilehin and Co and the Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, stakeholders shed light on the ongoing struggles in the battle against malaria while proposing solutions to address the issue.
Omolola Lana, the executive director of Westfield Development Initiative, emphasized that malaria continues to pose a substantial burden, accounting for nearly 27 percent of the global malaria cases, with Nigeria alone contributing 26.6 percent of cases and 31.3 percent of malaria-related deaths worldwide in 2021.
Lana identified poverty as a significant contributing factor, noting that many Nigerians reside in environmentally unsafe areas conducive to mosquito breeding. She stressed the importance of educating Nigerians on maintaining clean environments and proper water storage to mitigate mosquito breeding grounds.
Additionally, Lana highlighted the low utilization of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) among Nigerians as another challenge. LLINs, treated with insecticide lasting up to three years, are effective in preventing mosquito bites and reducing malaria transmission. To address this, Lana advocated for extensive awareness campaigns to promote LLIN usage.
The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted malaria control efforts, diverting resources away from malaria prevention and treatment. Lana urged donors, philanthropists, and the government to refocus efforts on malaria eradication now that the fight against COVID-19 has made significant progress.
The medical outreach program aimed to raise awareness about malaria and provide essential resources to communities. As part of the initiative, 500 LLINs were distributed to families in the Itire-Ikate community to protect against malaria transmission.
Dr. Olufemi Oyekan, the medical officer of Health for Itire-Ikate LCDA, highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment of malaria. Over 500 residents were screened and treated for various health conditions, including malaria, high blood pressure, and blood sugar.
Residents of the Itire-Ikate community expressed gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging the significance of preventive measures such as LLINs in reducing malaria incidence. The distribution of treated nets was deemed crucial in safeguarding the community against malaria and alleviating the financial burden associated with malaria treatment.
