By Gabriel Olawale

In a bid to reduce absenteeism from work and eliminate the scourge of malaria, Westfield Development Initiative, WDI a non-governmental orgainsation has offered free malaria treatment to the resident of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state. The programme which has over 700 people in attendance offer free malaria treatment, HIV/AIDs screening, blood pressure test, blood sugar tests, and free insecticide treated mosquito nets.

Speaking during the exercise to celebrate World Malaria Day, Executive Director, WDI, Ms. Omobola Lana said that it sadden to note that malaria still remain a major public health problem in Nigeria as it accounts for over 60 percent outpatient visits and 30 percent hospital admissions in the country.

“Malaria is highly endemic in Nigeria. It poses a major challenge to the country as it impedes human development. It is both a cause and consequence of underdevelopment and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Malaria accounts for about 60 percent of all visits to public health facilities, 30 percent of hospital admissions are also due to malaria. It is responsible for 29 percent of childhood death, 25 percent of infant mortality and 11 percent of maternal mortality.

“The disease has impacted negatively on the economy with about 132 Billion Naira lost to the disease as cost of treatment and loss in man-hours resulting from sickness absence and cost of treatment. It is a major cause of absenteeism from work and school. It contributes to poverty and results in poor pregnancy outcome.”

Lana noted that once the country is able to reduce its malaria burden, the productivity level will also increase, “and prosperity of our people will increase, that will contribute to the development of our country,” she noted. On his part, the patron WDI, Mr Gboyega Fatimilehin liken the exercises to a token out of what the organization intend to do.

“What we intend to do is to have minimum of 20 malaria centres around Alimosho area where people can enter and access free treatment. We are building one presently at Diamond estate which is expected to be completed early October.” “The idea behind this centre is to have our free malaria service render on regular basis so that people can access care on time.