The World Health Organisation on Thursday advocated increased coverage of insecticide treated nets to win the battle against malaria especially as it affects pregnant women and children.
A World Bank official in Ekiti State, Dr Isaac Adedayo, who spoke on Thursday during the 2024 World Malaria Day sensitisation walk and celebration organized by Ekiti State Ministry of Health, also said that “malaria vaccines are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control”.
Adedayo regretted that “malaria is a primary cause of illness and death for African children – one child dies from malaria every minute of every day. This is an enduring challenge with tragic consequences. Nearly half a million African children die from malaria every year”.
The expert, who said that Nigeria would soon be among the countries enjoying malaria vaccines, said, “Wider rollout of life-saving malaria vaccines in Africa is moving forward, with the vaccine already providing protection to children in Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and more countries targeting introductions in the coming weeks and through 2024.
“Efforts must continue to increase bed net coverage and use. In 2022, only about half (56%) of young children in sub-Saharan Africa slept under an insecticide-treated net”.
The WHO official spoke as Ekiti State Government, through the ministry distributed insecticide treated nets and drugs to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children of ages five and below, who had gathered at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Okeyinmi Ado Ekiti, venue of the Malaria Day celebration.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, advised the pregnant women and nursing mothers to shun habits that breed mosquitoes by embracing good hygienic practices and as well care about themselves and their children.
Gbenga-Igotun, who alongside the PS in the Hospitals Management Board, Dr Olasunkanmi Alabi, presented the treated bed nets to the pregnant women and nursing mothers, advised them to use the material properly and also shun the temptation of converting them to window nets or covers for their poultry or pens.
She told them, “You have right to free health (pregnancy women, nursing mothers and their children of ages 0-5). It is your right to know how to access medicare. The governor is ensuring there are healthcare facilities and professionals there to attend to you and as well get drugs. All sexes are free to enjoy the healthcare facilities”.
