Mu’azu Shehu
Kebbi Government says malaria is responsible for more than 70 per cent outpatient attendance, in the health facilities in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ja’afar Muhammad, made the statement while addressing newsmen during the commemoration of 2021 World Malaria Day in Birnin Kebbi, on Monday.
He said, “Malaria constitutes a huge epidemiological burden to Nigeria and continues to cripple economic development, through high morbidity and mortality, yet the disease is treatable and can be prevented.
“In Kebbi state malaria is responsible for more report in the vulnerable group such as children under five and pregnant women.
“Over the last few years, the malaria prevalence in the state has dropped from 64 per cent in 2015, to 52.2 per cent in 2018.
“This is indicated in the National Demographic Health Survey (NMIS) report, owing to the visionary leadership of Gov. Atiku Bagudu, and supports from implementing partners, “he said.
Muhammad recalled that the government launched ‘Operation Stop Malaria’ among other laudable intervention, to reverse the trend and reduce the negative impact of malaria in the entire state.
“In the face of a dual threat of malaria and COVID-19, the state government has made giant efforts in revitalising and improving the primary health care system, that allows for proper malaria diagnosis and other preventive measures.
“In reference to the theme for this year, which is ‘ Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria’ the state government is determined to implement serious interventions.
“This will ensure that every malaria case is preventable, and every malaria death is unacceptable,” he said.
Mohammad assured that the government would continue to collaborate with, and support implementing partners on malaria activities in the state.
“Within this year, the state government has put machinery in place to procure and distribute 2.8 million nets to all households in the state.
“The government is resolute at expanding investment opportunities in other malaria interventions and innovative programmes.
“This includes indoor residual spray, as well as other vector control and surveillance measures, while strengthening drug- based malaria preventive and treatment mechanisms,” the commissioner said.
Also speaking, Mr Sammy Olaniru, the state Coordinator of ‘Breakthrough Action Nigeria’, appreciated the work of the state government in malaria elimination in the state.
He said this was by providing the enabling environment to partners, as well as the needed staff across all the facilities in the state, for treatment and diagnosis of malaria.
He commended the government for launching the “Stop Malaria project” in the state, describing the initiative as a success for reducing the burden of malaria in the state.
“The Breakthrough Action Nigeria is working in the state for social and behavioral change.
“We have over 325 community volunteers that have been deployed to the community, and provided information regarding malaria prevention, malaria diagnosis and treatment.
“We have engagement working with the health providers across the health facilities, to ensure the adherence to strict national policy on test before treatment,” Olaniru said.