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Tag: malaria

  • ‘We’ll continue advocacy against malaria, say pest control managers

    ‘We’ll continue advocacy against malaria, say pest control managers

    Pest control managers, under supervision of Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), has reiterated their commitment to fight against malaria.

    The President, Olakunle Williams, spoke at a news conference and lecture to celebrate 2024 World Mosquito Day:

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    According to Willaims, World Mosquito Day was introduced to honour the 1897 scientific discovery of a British doctor, Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered the female anopheles as the cause of malaria. He noted the discovery laid the foundations for scientists to understand role of mosquitoes in disease transmission, and come up with interventions.

    Williams said accelerating the fight against malaria is to save lives, and create a more equitable world where everyone can live a healthy and productive life.

  • Malaria: A public health concern that must be taken seriously

    Malaria: A public health concern that must be taken seriously

    SIR: Malaria is a life-threatening disease that continues to ravage Nigeria, accounting for a significant proportion of global cases and deaths. As a tropical country, Nigeria is prone to malaria transmission by the female Anopheles mosquito. Alarmingly, 76% of Nigeria’s population is at risk of malaria due to high transmission areas. In 2019, Nigeria accounted for 27% of global malaria cases and 24% of deaths, according to the World Malaria Report, 2020.

    In 2021, around 247 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide and about 619,000 people died. Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.3%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6%), Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).

    The disease has far-reaching negative effects on society and the economy. These include high morbidity and mortality, as the disease is a leading cause of illness and death in Nigeria, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.

    Malaria imposes a significant economic burden on households, communities, and the nation, with costs including healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and reduced economic activity. Repeated episodes of malaria lead to absenteeism, poor academic performance, and increased dropout rates among children.

    Among other negative effects, malaria increases the risk of anaemia and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children.

    Read Also: Malaria: FG steps up elimination drive with advisory board, ministerial taskforce

    Now that the rains are here, malaria cases are on the rise, and mosquitoes are building resistance to some drugs. Without mincing words, some people treat malaria all-round the year.

    It is imperative for the government at all tiers and citizens to take the fight against malaria seriously. While the government has a major role to play, the fight against malaria requires collective efforts. Citizens must implement indoor residual spraying and environmental management strategies to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

    The government must increase access to insecticide-treated bed nets, which is a proved and effective prevention method and improve access to diagnosis and treatment by enhancing healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and increasing access to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

    Government must integrate malaria control into primary healthcare services to enhance early detection and treatment even as it conducts public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on malaria prevention, symptoms, and treatment. The government must invest in research and development of new malaria control tools, such as vaccines and drugs and collaborate with international partners to leverage resources, expertise, and funding to support malaria control efforts. Health systems must be strengthened to ensure effective delivery of malaria control interventions.

    The government must prioritize the fight against malaria, as the disease has devastating effects on the society and economy.  By prioritizing the fight against malaria, Nigeria can reduce the burden of the disease and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.

    The government and citizens must unite to combat malaria. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our nation to take action against this deadly disease. Malaria is a major public health concern in Nigeria and it must be treated as such, but together, we can defeat it. Let us work together to prevent avoidable deaths and enhance a healthy Nigeria.

    The time to act is now. Let us join forces to eliminate malaria in Nigeria.

    • Dayo DaSilva dsv123ng@yahoo.com
  • Nigeria renews fight against HIV, TB, malaria with Global Fund’s $933 grant

    Nigeria renews fight against HIV, TB, malaria with Global Fund’s $933 grant

    Nigeria is bolstering its fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria with a new grant of $933 million from the Global Fund, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has said.

     Of the latest three-year grant, otherwise known as the Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) that runs from 2024 to 2026, $340,095,438 is dedicated to the HIV grant, while the NACA is receiving $10,663,394 to lead the coordination of the multi sectoral response to HIV.

    According to a statement on Friday, the Head of Public Relations and Protocol at the agency, Toyin Aderibigbe,  the formation of a new Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) was anchored on the need to enhance service delivery, transparency, and accountability.

    Temitope Ilori, the Director General (DG) of NACA, emphasized that this development is crucial for achieving a domestically driven HIV response aimed at ending AIDS and its associated conditions as a public health threat in an effective, efficient, and sustainable manner.

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    Speaking at a four-day retreat, which was designed to familiarise new team members with their roles, reflect on past successes, identify areas for improvement, and discuss actionable strategies for future endeavours, the DG highlighted the importance of building on past successes in addressing HIV challenges.

    The significant accomplishments of the last grant, GC6, according to the DG, include training healthcare personnel, equipping laboratories, and meaningfully engaging communities. 

    “While we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we must task ourselves to improve upon our past efforts by being efficient and intentional in sustainably addressing the public health challenges of HIV through the use of reliable data for effective decision-making. 

    “My vision for the HIV response under my leadership is to foster a domestically driven HIV response that ends AIDS and its associated conditions as a public health threat in an effective, efficient, and sustainable manner.”

    She, however, urged the new team to focus on the shared goal of eliminating the disease by the target date, saying, “I urge you to reflect on how our work can ensure that we eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in collaboration with the National HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Control Programme (NASCP). 

    “Contribute meaningfully to the sector-wide approach of the Ministry of Health, further strengthen the health response to become more resilient and sustainable, ensure that we can respond to any public health emergency, and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030″. 

    The implementation of the GC 7 is expected to witness several notable activities that include the scale-up of HIV and TB Gender and Human Rights interventions both at the national and sub-national levels.

     Also, the country is expected to accomplish the development of 36+1 States’ strategic plans leveraging the HIV National Strategic Plan 2023-2027, in addition to the implementation of medically assisted treatment among persons who inject drugs using methadone or buprenorphine.

  • Overcoming hurdles toward malaria vaccine deployment

    Overcoming hurdles toward malaria vaccine deployment

    Malaria remains a persistent and devastating public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country bearing one of the heaviest burdens of the disease globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria accounted for approximately 27per cent of the estimated 229 million malaria cases worldwide in 2019. Despite extensive efforts to combat the disease through vector control measures and the use of antimalarial drugs, malaria continues to exert a significant toll on the health and well-being of Nigerians, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under five and pregnant women.

    In recent years, there has been growing interest and investment in the development of malaria vaccines as a complementary tool to existing control strategies. One vaccine that has garnered considerable attention is the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, also known as Mosquirix. Developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), RTS,S is the world’s first malaria vaccine to reach phase III clinical trials. The RTS,S vaccine targets the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which is the most deadly species of malaria parasite prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. It works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the parasite, thereby reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. Clinical trials of RTS,S have demonstrated partial protection against malaria in young children, making it a potentially valuable tool in the fight against the disease.

    In Nigeria, where malaria poses a significant public health challenge, the introduction of a malaria vaccine could have far-reaching implications for disease control and prevention. Malaria exerts a profound socio-economic burden on Nigeria, affecting productivity, healthcare costs, and overall quality of life. Children under the age of five and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the disease, with malaria contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality in these demographic groups. Despite the widespread distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets and the availability of antimalarial drugs, the disease remains endemic in many parts of the country, with recurring outbreaks and high transmission rates during the rainy season.

    Traditional malaria control measures, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, have played a crucial role in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. However, these interventions have limitations, including insecticide resistance among mosquito vectors and challenges in reaching remote and underserved populations. In this context, the development and deployment of a malaria vaccine offer a promising new approach to complement existing control strategies and accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in Nigeria.

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    The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine has been in development for over three decades and has undergone extensive clinical testing to assess its safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. Phase III clinical trials conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, have shown that RTS,S can provide partial protection against malaria in young children, reducing the risk of severe malaria by approximately 30-50%. Despite these promising results, the RTS,S vaccine has faced challenges in achieving the level of efficacy needed for widespread implementation. The vaccine’s protective efficacy wanes over time, requiring additional booster doses to maintain immunity. Furthermore, the vaccine’s efficacy varies depending on factors such as age, malaria transmission intensity, and the presence of pr e-existing immunity. In Nigeria, where malaria transmission rates vary widely across different regions, the effectiveness of the RTS,S vaccine may vary accordingly. Therefore, targeted deployment strategies tailored to local epidemiological conditions will be essential for maximizing the impact of the vaccine in reducing malaria burden.

    The introduction of a malaria vaccine in Nigeria presents a promising yet complex endeavor, fraught with logistical and operational hurdles. To ensure widespread access, particularly in underserved rural areas, bolstering health systems, expanding immunization infrastructure, and addressing barriers to vaccine delivery are paramount. Domestic investment and ownership, alongside sustained funding and political commitment, are imperative for the long-term sustainability of malaria vaccine programs, complementing international support.

  • How to know if your malaria is fever, by Ntadom

    How to know if your malaria is fever, by Ntadom

    Dr Godwin Ntadom, the National Coordinator of the Nigerian National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), has stated that it’s important for individuals to always confirm their fever is malaria before taking medicines to treat it.

    NMEP, an organisation that provides impactful malaria control interventions, made this disclosure during a tweet chat and Instagram Live between Ntadom, and Esther Adekeye, a renowned Media Personality.

    The tweet chat and Instagram Live was held in commemoration of World Malaria Day, highlighting the critical importance of advancing health equity, gender equality, and human rights in the mosquito-borne disease responses worldwide.

    In the course of the KimaniOffAir  tweet chat, Ntadom, when asked how people can know if their malaria is fever, explained that Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are the way to go.

    “Confirm if your fever is malaria by always testing every fever using Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) to confirm it is malaria before taking malaria medicines,” Ntadom wrote via NMEP’s X handle, @NMEPNigeria.

    While maintaining that malaria is curable, especially when the right medicines are taken, Ntadom disclosed preventive measures individuals can take to protect themselves, alongside their households against the mosquito-borne disease.

    Read Also: Aide leads campaign to eradicate malaria

    “By maintaining a clean environment and getting rid of all mosquito breeding sites, ensuring all water containers for domestic use are covered properly. Also, ensure every member of your household sleeps inside an Insecticide-treated net (ITN) every night. Insist that pregnant women around you register for antenatal care early to receive SP that protects the mother and unborn baby from malaria.

    “Not only that, residents of the northern and middle belt regions of Nigeria should present eligible children to be administered malaria prevention therapies as recommended,” Ntadom stated.

    The NMEP National Coordinator, however, identified the common symptoms of malaria as -fever, chills, headache, and fatigue, which it noted are caused by the spread of the disease from an infected person to others through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

    Identifying the challenges in the fight against malaria in Nigeria, Ntadom stated that they include -the widening funding gap for essential malaria interventions, sub-optimal uptake of interventions among vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, weakening health systems responsible for delivering effective primary healthcare interventions, and increasing mosquito resistance to insecticides used in Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs).

  • ‘How to reduce impact of malaria-related illnesses’

    ‘How to reduce impact of malaria-related illnesses’

    A pharmaceutical  firm, St.Racheal’s Pharma, has suggested the adoption of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) to reduce the impact of malaria-related illnesses and deaths in Nigeria.

    This is in commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day

    The company’s call to action comes against the backdrop of Federal Government’s ongoing struggle against malaria, which remains hyperendemic with distinct seasonal peaks of transmission across the tropical nation.

    In a statement  by the firm’s Medical Adviser, Dr. Tosin Omolori, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2012, involves administering full courses of antimalarial medicines intermittently during the malaria season to children aged three to 59  months.

    He said that clinical trials have demonstrated that SMC can prevent up to 75% of malaria cases in this vulnerable age group.

    According to Dr Omolori, recent studies have also highlighted concerns regarding mosquito resistance to commonly used insecticides like pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates, particularly in urban areas where invasive species like Anopheles stephensi are prevalent.

    This according to him, necessitates  research into alternative strategies to combat insecticide resistance effectively.

    Moreover, St.Rachaels  Pharma has urged both national and sub-national governments in Nigeria to prioritise the provision of free malaria tests to economically disadvantaged patients, aligning with broader economic palliatives being implemented nationwide.

     Omolori  emphasised the firm’s commitment to promoting public health in Nigeria and across Africa through education, quality pharmaceutical production, and equitable distribution.

    St Racheal’s Pharma aligns with the 2024 WMD theme set by the WHO, “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

    The firm underscores the need for improved community engagement in healthcare decision-making, increased investment in primary healthcare, and the integration of malaria control initiatives into universal health coverage.

  • Aide leads campaign to eradicate malaria

    Aide leads campaign to eradicate malaria

    Moremi Ojudu, senior special assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), has unveiled a campaign:  “Change the Narrative Now.”

    The initiative, spearheaded by Presidential Community Engagement Office with Chestrad Global and Federal Ministry of Health, aims to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote preventative measures against mosquito-borne illness.

    The launch took place at Ago-Egun in Iwaya-Makoko, Yaba LCDA. Moremi emphasised importance of grassroots engagement in tackling the challenge.

    Read Also: Malaria: Stakeholders decry Nigeria’s 27% global rate contribution

    “Malaria affects our communities,” she said. ‘‘‘Change the Narrative Now’ signifies effort to empower residents with knowledge and resources to protect themselves and their families.”

    The campaign encompasses community mobilisation to raise awareness on malaria prevention and treatment, distribution of resources, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and sanitation materials. Medical personnel provided check-ups and distributed medications. Essential food supplies were provided to ensure well-being of residents.

  • Experts decry Nigeria’s 27% malaria global rate contribution

    Experts decry Nigeria’s 27% malaria global rate contribution

    Experts in Nigeria’s healthcare sector have expressed concern about the nation’s 27 per cent contribution to global malaria burden of the 249 million cases worldwide.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) said in 2022, Nigeria recorded 1.3 million cases, ranking it as the third-largest contributor globally among 85 malaria-endemic countries.

    This means an urgent action is needed to enhance access to life-saving interventions in Nigeria’s fight against malaria.

    The country was also said to be responsible for 38 per cent of global deaths in children aged under four years through malaria in 2022.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja during this year’s World Malaria Day, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Walter Molumbo, noted that this year’s theme: Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria For A More Equitable World, resonated deeply with the ongoing efforts to combat the disease.

    The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, and other partners.

    Represented by WHO’s Deputy Country Representative Alex Chimbaru, the WHO Representative in Nigeria said the fight against malaria is not just a health issue but a matter of social justice and human rights.

    Read Also: Malaria: Stakeholders decry Nigeria’s 27% global rate contribution

    Molumbo said: “Over the years, malaria has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable populations, namely, pregnant women, infants, children under five years of age, refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequity.

    “Climate change and humanitarian emergencies, including natural disasters and conflicts in malaria-endemic countries, are displacing populations, making them vulnerable to the disease.

    “This reduces opportunities for accessing preventive and treatment services by these groups, thus hindering progress on achieving the vision of a malaria-free world.

    “However, amidst these challenges, there is cause for hope. Together, under the guidance of FMOH/NMEP, we have made remarkable strides in malaria control and prevention, thanks to the tireless dedication of individuals and organisations across the country.”

    In a goodwill message, the United States Government, through its Agency for International Development (USAID), assured Nigeria of its commitment to support the country’s efforts to combat the scourge.

    USAID Nigeria Deputy Director Sara Werth said the gains of the past and ongoing efforts should be maximised for the desired results.

    Other stakeholders, including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Speak Up Africa, among others, also assured of their continued support for the nation’s Malaria eradication efforts.

  • Fed Govt tackles HIV, malaria, TB with $933m from Global Fund

    Fed Govt tackles HIV, malaria, TB with $933m from Global Fund

    The Federal Government yesterday said it had taken steps to further reinvigorate the nation’s healthcare service delivery with the disbursement of Global Fund’s $933 million to relevant agencies to tackle human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Malaria, and Tuberculosis (TB).

    The fund is expected to be utilised by the implementing agencies between this year and 2026.

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced this while disbursing the funds to the agencies yesterday in Abuja.

    Recipients of the Global Fund grant include: the National Agency for the Control of AIDS – $10,663,394.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP)- Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) – $30,038,555.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP)-FMOH, $122,390,772.00 (Tuberculosis); Institute for Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), $340,095,438.00 (HIV/TB (C-Grant); the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)-FMOH, $80,877,025.00 (Malaria); the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), $315, 933,900.00 (Malaria); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme-FMOH, $42,557,406.00 (RSSH); and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, $4,100,440.00 (RSSH).

    The minister said the Global Fund resources were meant to boost Nigeria’s efforts at meeting the Global 95-95-95 by 2025 for notable improvement in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

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    A statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, reads: “The Coordinating Minister of Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has launched the Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) 2024-2026 implementation period in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

    “Speaking at the official launch of Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the minister stated that the allocated resources of $933 million to Nigeria for the 2024-2026 implementation period would help mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

    He said: “In approving the sector-wide programme, the President essentially directed that the health outcomes of Nigerians should be better than what it is and that we should all collaborate, Federal Government with state government alongside development partners.”

    Pate assured Nigerians that the resources donated would be used judiciously.

    Recipients of the Global Fund grant include: the National Agency for the Control of AIDS – $10,663,394.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP)- Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) – $30,038,555.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP)-FMOH, $122,390,772.00 (Tuberculosis); Institute for Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), $340,095,438.00 (HIV/TB (C-Grant); the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)-FMOH, $80,877,025.00 (Malaria); the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), $315, 933,900.00 (Malaria); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme-FMOH, $42,557,406.00 (RSSH); and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, $4,100,440.00 (RSSH).

    According to Pate, the expected results, which all the principal recipients are committing to, is to achieve the 95, 95, 95 by 2025, notable improvement in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

  • Residents sensitised to malaria control

    Residents sensitised to malaria control

    Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) has  sensitised residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to new ways to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

     The association urged Federal Government to give attention to environmental management and pollution to control breeding of mosquitoes.

    Speaking at a road walk, National President, Olakunle Williams, said: “August 20 is set aside to mark World Mosquito Day.

     “If there is no mosquito, there will be no malaria. So, we want people to know that getting rid of mosquitoes is preventive for malaria. We join government from the private sector perspective in prevention.

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      “We hope government will support us because we know the government is looking into going into partnership with the private sector on malaria…”

    Senior Technical Assistant to Registrar and Director, in Department of Registration, Ethics and Standards at Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr. Issac Adamu, said: “Mosquito eradication is responsibility of Federal Ministry of Environment. We are an agency under the ministry, and have a special disease vector control programme to ensure mosquito, and others, are tamed..’’

    “It is very important that when we are fighting malaria in Nigeria, we need to concentrate efforts on the vector. Over the years, we have not been paying attention to the vector by directly interfering with its habitat and way of life. It is essential that we turn attention to the vector which causes not only malaria but other parasitic infections.”