Prevent malaria with insecticide treated mosquito nets, basic hygiene – Experts

Prevent malaria with insecticide treated mosquito nets, basic hygiene – Experts

By Ezekiel Kagbala (FPR)

As World Malaria Day comes up on Thursday April 25, Nigerians have been advised to protect themselves against mosquito bites by using insecticide treated mosquito nets, wearing clothes that cover most parts of the body, and using insect repellent on exposed skin.

The Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Malaria, Child And Maternal Mortality Eradication (MACMME) Project, an NGO, Nicolette Ndigwe, who partnered with Sterling Bank Plc. in Lagos to create awareness on malaria prevention, said the body decided to create awareness because many Nigerians do not know that malaria is a major cause of deaths.

And while it can be prevented with drugs that may not be up to N1, 000, many people do not attach much importance to it, as they often see people come down with malaria and recover from it, not knowing that malaria is actually a dangerous killer disease.

She said: “Malaria is preventable. By just observing basic hygiene standard will save a lot of lives. This is one of the communicable diseases that should be well managed, if we focus more resources, create a lot of awareness on the need for people to keep their environments clean and clear drainages to avoid stagnant water where mosquitoes live. It is something we can solve, and we should not wait to get to the point of using mosquito nets. Therefore, we really need to address prevention aspect of malaria.

“About five African countries have actually solved issues of malaria, so it is possible to get it done. Our programme to mark World Malaria Day this year is all about advocacy to get across to all stakeholders, including government, health practitioners and all Nigerians to come together and kick malaria out of the country. I would advise that everyone should get involved, because a nation that is not healthy cannot be prosperous and productive. Such a nation cannot also be safe because it creates insecurity”.

“Presently in Nigeria, health is a fundamental problem and people should rise up to motivate government to focus on the health sector. This is era of technology, and we must be able to leverage technology. Therefore, all hands should be on deck and also to partner with relevant organisations. Both government and corporate organisations should come together to give home and a better future to homeless Nigerian children”.

She said: “Statistics have shown that each year in Nigeria, an average of 300,000 children are killed by malaria. The disease is similarly responsible for 11 per cent of all maternal deaths. Data from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) further indicates that each month, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five year olds and 145 women of child-bearing age, making it the second largest contributor to under-five and maternal mortality rates in the world.

“What is disturbing is that about 75 per cent of these deaths are linked to highly preventable causes, such as basic healthcare, hygiene, homelessness and sanitation practices’.