… as Nigeria top list of countries mostly affected

By Gift Chapi-Odekina

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2023 World mosquito day, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Rep Amobi Ogah has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergence on Malaria, describing it as a deadly parasite with potential to inflict woes on the citizenry.

Ogah who represents Isuiwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia state, stated this this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja following the 2023 commemoration of World Mosquito Day.

According to him, the World Mosquito Day is commemorated on August 20 globally and the theme for 2023 is “Fighting the World’s Deadliest killer -the Mosquito. “

He said the aim is to raise awareness about the causes of malaria and how it can be prevented and on the danger posed by mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases as well as laying emphasis on the ongoing global efforts towards combating the world’s deadliest creature.

Ogah further said that considering the threat malaria poses to humanity, every effort must be geared towards eradicating one of the deadliest killer mosquitoes.

He said “The House Committee on HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control is not unmindful of the challenges being faced by Nigerians in the fight against these ailments especially in the fight against the control of Malaria in the country which appear to defile solutions.”

“ The committee will work with relevant stakeholders in the fight against malaria in ensuring that monies budgeted for are used for the purpose for which they are made. “

“According to the World Health Organization, Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria top this list with 31.3%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo  with 12.6%, Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).”

“I am aware that the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030, which was updated in 2021, provides a technical framework for all malaria-endemic countries, including Nigeria. This document is expected to guide and support regional and country programmes on malaria control as they work towards control and elimination of malaria. “

The technical strategy include:

Reducing malaria case incidence by at least 90% by 2030

Reducing malaria mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030

Eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030

Preventing a resurgence of malaria in all countries that are malaria-free.

The prevalence of fake malaria drugs will be looked into to avoid further deaths recorded.

We will carry out our oversight functions to ascertain the role of primary health care in the Roll Back Malaria Programme.

“Nigeria is a country in need of protection from malaria. Its death toll from the disease makes up nearly a third of the world’s 619,000 malaria deaths a year.” He added

He further said there is a need to work towards malaria eradication to concentrate more efforts on the vector, being the mosquito, adding that the government must work tirelessly to achieve this.

He called on the Federal Government  to give more attention to eradicating mosquitoes by engaging critical stakeholders in the health sector including Non-Governmental  Organisations, adding that the burden of malaria in the country is sequel to the less attention given to parasites.

He urged the government at all levels to do more in a bid to ensure that the dreaded mosquitos was taken out of the country, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve this with the requites attention.

He decries a situation where the government is not paying attention to the vector that directly interferes with its habitat and way of life, adding that it was imperative to turn attention to the eradication of mosquitoes

He said that four African country account for over half of all malaria related deaths worldwide with Nigeria topping the list with 31.3 per cent.

He said the 10th House of Reps will ensure adequate implementation of legislations geared towards the eradication of malaria in the country.

He also reiterated the committee’s resolve to tackle the prevalence of fake malaria medicines in the country, adding that the menace will be looked into to avoid further deaths recorded.