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Tag: malaria

  • WMD 2018: CAMA, Access Bank hold forum on eradicating malaria

    Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa, CAMA, in partnership with Access Bank Plc and other Corporate Society Organisations (CSOs) will on April 26th, hold a Malaria Forum in Lagos tagged; “Accelerating Investment to Bring Malaria to Zero”.
    The forum which seeks to bring together group of business executives, corporate health managers, technical experts, government officials, program implementers and global health community to discuss strategies to accelerate investment to bring malaria to Zero in Nigeria and Africa will take place at Access Bank Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
    The gathering aims to showcase the impact of malaria investment by the private sector on key indicators such as key achievements and innovations.

    It will also highlight the challenges and opportunities facing malaria elimination in the country, exchange knowledge on best practices for workplace malaria programs and feature partnership opportunities for malaria elimination in Nigeria.
    According to the Director of the Global Malaria Programme at WHO, Dr Pedro Alonso, “if we are to get the global malaria response back on track, supporting the most heavily affected countries in the African Region must be the primary focus.”
    “The 2017 World Malaria Report, has also disclosed that progress made in global malaria control is stalling, and risks going backwards without urgent action. Meeting global malaria targets and the aspirations of Nigeria’s national malaria strategic plan will only be possible through greater investment and expanded coverage of core tools to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.
    Head, Sustainability Access Bank PLC, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan said that Investment on Malaria will yield huge returns through increased economic productivity , number of hours in school and lives saved.
    “It makes business sense to mobilise resources and competence to end malaria in Africa.”
    “World Malaria Day, held annually on April 25th, is an opportunity to highlight advances in malaria prevention and control and to commit to continued action to accelerate progress against this deadly disease.
    “This year’s theme –Ready To Beat Malaria– marks the importance of collective responsibility and commitment of the global malaria community in bringing together people on working towards a world free of malaria. The theme also puts the exemplary progress achieved in tackling malaria under the spotlight. It also puts focus on disturbing trends captured in World Malaria Report in 2017.
    Speakers at the event will include Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Commissioner for Health Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Idris and GBCHealth President, Nancy Wildfier-Field with a video message from Christoph Benn, Head of External Relations for the Global Fund and a host of private sector leaders; as well as representatives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Access Bank, Private Sector Health Alliance, Nigerian Breweries and Dangote Foundation.
    During the meeting, CAMA an alliance of global companies from a variety of sectors who are committed to the global malaria fight will launch a case study report on best in class malaria programs.
    The report includes the first-ever mapping of private sector malaria investments in Nigeria and offers suggestions for creating additional impact as the country moves toward malaria elimination amongst others.
    The Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) is a GBCHealth-led initiative to drive partnerships for malaria control and elimination.
    GBCHealth in the same vein, serves as a hub for business engagement on the world’s most pressing global health issues. Since 2001 GBCHealth have helped hundreds of companies develop and implement their own global health programs, brokered countless global and local public-private partnerships and effectively driven business advocacy nationally and globally in service of public health.

  • World Malaria Day: Let’s fight malaria

    All around the world, the consciousness of people is evermore increased with respect to the sundry life-threatening disease, of which malaria is not an exception.

    Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

    Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.

    This day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

    There are four ways by which malaria can infect humans: Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium falciparum. They cause a lot of severe form of the disease and those who contract this type of malaria have a higher risk of death.

    An infected person ( mother ) can also pass the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria. It is transmitted by blood.

    A push for prevention on the occasion of malaria

    The Prevention of the disease involves protecting yourself against mosquito bites and taking antimalarial medicines.

    However, pregnant women should avoid staying in areas where malaria is common; not only them but young children should also avoid playing in dangerous areas.

    In the lead-up to 25 April, WHO is shining a spotlight on prevention, a critical strategy for reducing the toll of a disease that continues to kill more than 400,000 people annually.

    Since 2000, malaria prevention has played an important role in reducing cases and deaths, primarily through the scale up of insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying with insecticides.

    Across sub-Saharan Africa where the disease is heavily concentrated, a greater share of the population is sleeping under insecticide-treated nets.

    In 2015, an estimated 53% of the population at risk slept under a treated net compared to 30% in 2010.

    In 20 African countries, preventive treatment for pregnant women increased five-fold between 2010 and 2015.

    As we commemorate this day, it is pertinent that we embrace healthy attitudes towards our sundry environment.

    Cleanliness they say is next to godliness, therefore, the need to collectively work towards a clean and safe neighbourhood cannot be overemphasized.

    Also, government needs to increase its intervention programmes to curb this menace, especially in the rural areas where education and finance might be a major concern.

  • World Malaria Day: Ready to beat malaria

    World Malaria Day was established in May 2007 by the 60th session of the world health assembly.

    The day was established to provide education and understanding about the much dreaded disease – malaria, and to raise the consciousness of the people on the “year long intensified implementation of national malaria control strategies including community –based activities for its prevention and treatment in endemic areas.”

    This day seeks to raise awareness about the disease, the serious and sometimes fatal disease that plagues most tropical regions.

    It was proclaimed by the world health organisation. It is celebrated annually on April 25.  

    Find below some very interesting quotes and facts about the disease:

    1. The theme for this year’s celebration is Ready to beat malaria.
    2. Only the female Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria.
    3. After the mosquito bites, it usually takes 2 to 4weeks to display symptoms.
    4. Usually, the mosquito only bites between 9pm and 5am. Making a mosquito net over the bed is a very effective tool in its prevention.
    5. There are over 100 species of the parasite, the most deadly being the plasmodium, falciparum, found in Africa.                      

    Yearly, World Health Organisation ( WHO ) partners with organizations (private, government and nongovernmental organization) commemorate the day.

    The Theme underscores the collective energy and commitment of the global malaria community in uniting around the common goal of a world free of the disease.

    It highlights the remarkable progress achieved in tackling one of humanity’s oldest diseases.

    It manifests itself in a sundry of ways and symptoms, including:

    1. Moderate to severe shaking chills
    2. High fever
    3. Sweating
    4. Headache
    5. Vomiting
    6. Diarrhea
    7. Nausea

    Below are a few (though not exhaustive) ways to prevent it:

    1. Determine your level of risk
    2. Always use a bed-net impregnated with insecticides
    3. Use mosquito repellent
    4. Go for long sleeves
    5. Insect repellent again
    6. Check the malaria risks – Get an antimalarial (if necessary)
    7. Follow your prescription carefully

  • WMD 2018: CAMA, Access Bank proposes investment to eliminate malaria

    Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa, CAMA in partnership with Access Bank Plc and other Corporate Society Organisations (CSOs) will on Thursday April 26th, hold a Malaria Forum in Lagos tagged; “Accelerating Investment to Bring Malaria to Zero”.

    The forum which seeks to bring together group of business executives, corporate health managers, technical experts, government officials, program implementers and global health community to discuss strategies to accelerate investment to bring malaria to Zero in Nigeria and Africa will take place at Access Bank Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The gathering is aimed at showcasing the impact of malaria investment by the private sector on key indicators such as key achievements and innovations. The challenges and opportunities facing malaria elimination in the country. Exchange knowledge on best practices for workplace malaria programs. Feature partnership opportunities for malaria elimination in Nigeria.

    Speakers at the event will include the Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Commissioner for Health Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Idris and GBCHealth President, Nancy Wildfier-Field with a video message from Christoph Benn, Head of External Relations for the Global Fund and a host of private sector leaders; as well as representatives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Access Bank, Private Sector Health Alliance, Nigerian Breweries and Dangote Foundation.

    According to the Director of the Global Malaria Programme at the World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Pedro Alonso, “If we are to get the global malaria response back on track, supporting the most heavily affected countries in the African Region must be the primary focus.”

    “The 2017 World Malaria Report has also disclosed that progress made in global malaria control is stalling, and risks going backwards without urgent action. Meeting global malaria targets and the aspirations of Nigeria’s national malaria strategic plan will only be possible through greater investment and expanded coverage of core tools to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.

    Head, Sustainability Access Bank PLC, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan said that Investment on Malaria will yield huge returns through increased economic productivity , number of hours in school and lives saved.

    “It makes business sense to mobilise resources and competence to end malaria in Africa.”

    “World Malaria Day, held annually on April 25th, is an opportunity to highlight advances in malaria prevention and control and to commit to continued action to accelerate progress against this deadly disease.

    “This year’s theme –Ready to Beat Malaria– marks the importance of collective responsibility and commitment of the global malaria community in bringing together people on working towards a world free of malaria. The theme also puts the exemplary progress achieved in tackling malaria under the spotlight. It also puts focus on disturbing trends captured in World Malaria Report in 2017.

    During the meeting, CAMA an alliance of global companies from a variety of sectors who are committed to the global malaria fight will launch a case study report on best in class malaria programs.

    The report includes the first-ever mapping of private sector malaria investments in Nigeria and offers suggestions for creating additional impact as the country moves toward malaria elimination amongst others.

    The Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) is a GBCHealth-led initiative to drive partnerships for malaria control and elimination.

    GBCHealth in the same vein serves as a hub for business engagement on the world’s most pressing global health issues. Since 2001 GBCHealth have helped hundreds of companies develop and implement their own global health programs, brokered countless global and local public-private partnerships and effectively driven business advocacy nationally and globally in service of public health.

  • Alake, Amosun call for concerted efforts to eliminate malaria

    The paramount ruler and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called for concerted efforts between Nigerians and the donor of Long Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs), Global Fund and implementing agency, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), to tackle the scourge of malaria across the country.

    Alake made this known while he was decorated as the net Ambassador by the team of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) at the ongoing distribution of card net, aimed at eliminating malaria across the country, held at Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    Alake said that it was imperative to use the mosquito net or sleep inside the mosquito net to avoid contracting malaria through the bite of female mosquito called (Anopheles), noting that by so doing the state will be free from the scourge of malaria fever.

    He appreciated the donor of the initiative, Global Fund, and the implementing agency, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), saying that it was a good initiative and giant step being taken by the groups, pledging the support and cooperation of the traditional rulers across the state.

    The Deputy Chief of Party, Global Fund Malaria and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Dr. Diwe Ekweremadu, while decorating the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, stated that the partnership between the donor of the programme and implementing partner was geared towards eliminating malaria in the country, hailing the paramount ruler for supporting the campaign.

    He added that no stone would be left unturned as every household is entitled to a net card, noting that every logistic has been put in place to make sure that the LLIN goes to every nook and cranny of the state.

    Earlier, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, appreciated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and his chiefs for accepting the offer, assuring the traditional ruler of hitch-free exercise before, during and after the programme.

    He added that Ogun was chosen as the pioneer state in the country to benefit from the campaign now that it is technologically-driven, adding that the state’s health sector under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun  has recorded evidence-based progress.

     

  • Group praises Ogun residents for malaria eradication

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Global Fund, in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), has praised Ogun State residents who trooped out in large number to collect Long Lasting Insticide-Treated Nets (LLITN) cards, aimed at eliminating the malaria across the state .

    One of the CRS Project Officers, Mrs. Orezi Nicholas Adhekoyibo said during the assessment tour of Mowe, Ibafo, and Mokolokin in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, that malaria is a major health challenge that hinders development, especially in Africa, where over a million lives, including expectant mothers and children under five,  are affected.

    She said to curb the spread of the disease, the Federal Government and some international organisations, including Global Fund and CRS, stepped up advocacies to ensure people were adequately sensitised on preventive measure and how to get treated if affected.

    She said  the disease remains one of the biggest challenges, which cause 11 per cent of maternal mortality in the country, adding that the Federal Government and key stakeholders were making efforts to ensure that the rate at which the disease spread is reduced maximally, if not eliminated.

    One of the mobilisers, a health worker, Mrs. Onye Victoria said the level of compliance by the people  was highly impressive, adding that the residents were ready to collect the cards.

    “Gone are the days when people said they didn’t get anything from the government except money. As you can see, people are willing to get the cards; even if they were not around and get to know that one mobiliser is in their area, they will quickly come back and request for their own card,” she said.

    Two beneficiaries of the LLIN cards, Mr. Adelaja Kolawole and Mrs. Olaonipekun Mojisola, praised the  government and its partners for the initiative, pledging their readiness to make wise use of the treated mosquito nets.

    Earlier, the Malaria Focal Persons of the areas, Mrs. Grace Oluwayemisi Olowu and Mrs. Kolashi Deborah Iyabo hailed the initiative of the government and its partners, especially for the strides recorded so far.

    They added that one of the major measures through which the spread of deadly disease (malaria) could be curbed was the use of LLIN, advising the people not to keep it up somewhere, but ensuring that they sleep under it as well.

    They urged the CRS to find lasting solutions to the people of remote areas, noting that some of the mobilisers were unwilling to visit those areas because of their high fare, and those being persuaded to the catchment areas spent not less than N5,000.

    Some residents lauded the government and Global Fund for the distribution of the nets across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

    The exercise, which took place simultaneously at three Senatorial districts of the state, Ogun East, Ogun West and Ogun Central, witnessed a large turnout of residents, who expressed their delight for the programme.

    They noted that the gesture would save them time and money in buying the nets as it comes at an appropriate time – during the rainy season.

    Mr. Dada Israel, a resident of Liberty Junction, Oru-Ijebu and Mrs. Adelani Akintunde of Sango, commended Global Fund and CRS for the initiative, noting that the proper use of the nets would help them avoid mosquito bites and avert spread of malaria.

    According to the residents, “malaria was caused by a bite from an infected female mosquito (anmovelis), which carries a germs that cause the disease, noting that it’s preventable, if someone can sleep under the LLIMN wanted to distribute to the residents of the state.”

    They hailed the gesture of the government and the donor for bringing the exercise to their door steps instead of purchasing the net, pledging their support for the both government and Global Fund agents through out their work.

    A  Technical Consultant on the project, Mrs. Wasila Kolo  commended the residents for co-operating with the household mobilisers, noting that this showed that the programme was well accepted.

    Mrs Kolo assured that the strategy employed this year, which involved the use an android device for mobilisation and distribution of the free long lasting nets, would ensure the right household gets the right quantity of nets, thereby promoting accountability.

    She advised the residents to keep their cards as it would help them in collecting their nets during the period of distribution, promising that no household would be left untouched during the exercise.

    Areas visited include Oke-Ilewo, Olomore, Abule Olomore, Ita-Oshin, Adeun, Rounder in Abeokuta axis while Yewa Axis were Sango, Ota, Ilogbo, Owode, Oju-ore, Iju, Atan and Ago-Iwoye, Orun, Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-Ode, Awa-Oru Ijebu in Ijebu axis.

    The mobilisation would hold for nine days.

     

  • UK to announce new £50m malaria programme for Nigeria

    The United Kingdom (UK) says it will announce a new malaria programme worth £50 million in Nigeria that will run until 2024.

    The UK said it would also provide a £9.2 million of new research funds to develop new triple artemisinin combination treatments.

    A statement issued by Ready to Beat Malaria, an NGO, said the UK Government had re-affirmed its commitment to spend £500 million a year on malaria through to 2020-21.

    The statement said that the UK would also announce additional £100 million match fund commitment to the Global Fund to match new contributions from private donors pound for pound.

    It said the funds were part of the Britain’s renewed commitment to accelerate progress against malaria.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/fg-ngos-sensitise-community-world-malaria-day/ 

    The statement said the UK government would make this known at the Malaria Summit London 2018, co-hosted by the UK Government, and the Heads of State of Rwanda and Swaziland.

    It said 15 Heads of State and Government from across the Commonwealth were to attend the Malaria Summit together with senior ministerial attendance and leaders from the world of business, science, civil society and international organisations.

    It said the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria would also announce commitments totalling 2 billion dollars from 46 countries affected by malaria between 2018 and 20.

    According to the statement, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will extend its investments in malaria by an additional 1 billion dollars (£700 million) through to 2023.

    It said the 1 billion dollars investment was to reduce the burden of the disease towards ending malaria for good.

    The statement however noted that most effective tools in the fight against malaria such as nets, sprays and treatments are under threat from drug and insecticide resistance.

    “ The malaria parasite and the mosquitoes that carry it are evolving resistance to existing interventions – malaria is fighting back.

    “The Malaria Summit call for new tools to stay ahead of the disease, announcing commitments to invest in future innovations,’’ it said.

    It said GSK is committing to invest a further 175 million dollars in its research and development efforts against malaria.

    The statement added that Novartis would invest more than 100 million dollars through 2023 to advance research and development of next-generation treatments to combat emerging anti-malarial drug resistance.

    It quoted Ms Theresa May, Prime Minister of United Kingdom, saying that: “UK is a proud leader in the fight against malaria, which has seen deaths cut by 60 per cent and saved seven million lives since 2000.

    “We have made a major contribution to that progress, including investing 500million dollars each year over the next three years, developing new drugs and technologies and making life-saving solutions available to millions at risk from malaria.

    “But the job is not yet done. Today there are millions still at risk, economies held back and a child’s life needlessly taken every two minutes from this disease.

    “This is why I am championing a new Commonwealth commitment to halve malaria across member countries by 2023.

    Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who are co-convening the Malaria Summit, said: “History has shown that with malaria there is no standing still – we move forward or risk resurgence.’’

    He added that the commitments made today, from the UK, country leadership and the private sector, show that the world is ready to beat malaria.

    NAN

  • FG, NGOs sensitise community prior to World Malaria Day

    Initiative for the Prevention of Malaria (IPM), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), in conjunction with the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders in the health sector has embarked on environmental management and malaria prevention sensitisation.

    Mrs Nnenna Didigu, National Coordinator of the NGO, said this at the community outreach in Durumi community in the FCT on Wednesday.

    He said the sensitisation was part of the activities in the lead-up to the World Malaria Day, slated for April, 25.

    Reports confirmed that World Malaria Day is aimed at highlighting the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

    The theme of the 2018 World Malarial Day entitled, ‘’Ready to Beat Malaria’’.

    Didigu said that the sensitisation was also to support the National Malaria Elimination Programme of the government in collaboration Breakthrough Action and other relevant NGOs.

    She said that her organisation took environmental management advocacy to Durumi community to make residents understand that environmental sanitation and dirt-free surroundings had the potential to prevent malaria and other diseases.

    ‘’In view of this, IPM distributes waste disposal plastic drums and cleaning equipment to the people including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Durumi community,’’ she said.

    The national coordinator said that the NGO would also distribute waste disposal drums to Utako Community, to support the efforts to provide safe and healthy environment.

    The Deputy Project Director, Breakthrough Action, Dr Bolatito Aiyenigba, said her organisation sensitised residents of Durumi community on the importance of malaria prevention.

    Aiyenigba, who advocated rapid malaria diagnosis, urged residents to undergo blood test before treating malaria and avoid consumption of the anti-malaria drugs, a development he said remained high in Nigeria.

    She urged pregnant women to go for ante-natal and take their monthly medicine to prevent malaria during pregnancy.

    According to her, treated mosquito nets are also imperative to malaria prevention.

    The Chief of Azhata, Durumi community, Abuja, Chief Danladi Bawa, commended the Federal Government and the NGOs for educating his community on environmental sanitation and malaria prevention.

    NAN

  • Borno confirms three dead from fresh cholera outbreak

    No fewer than three persons died in fresh cholera outbreak in Kukawa Local Government area of Borno, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia, has said.

    Mshelia made the disclosure when the Director General, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebrayesus, visited the WHO’s Emergency and Response Centre on Friday in Maiduguri.

    He said that about 700 cases of cholera were recorded in Baga, Doron Baga and Kukawa in the past weeks.

    He said that the state government in collaboration with WHO and other partner agencies had scaled up activities to combat the outbreak in the affected communities.

    Mshelia said the state government in the past six months conducted vaccination to control the disease.

    The commissioner added that the state government, with the support from WHO and other organizations, had also executed various programmes to control, hepatitis E, malaria, polio, measles, meningitis and other diseases.

    Mshelia called for closer collaboration with WHO to enhance healthcare delivery in the state.

    Read Also: Borno free of cholera outbreak – Commissioner

    Ghebrayesus assured of WHO’s commitment to contain the spread of cholera, polio and other diseases in the state.

    He said: “The current cholera outbreak was recorded in areas where vaccination was not conducted. The outbreak would be analysed to avert future ocurrence.”

    He commanded the state government for demonstrating the political will to control the outbreak and transform healthcare service delivery in the state.

    It would be recalled that 61 persons died of cholera between June and December, 2017.

  • Nigeria develops herbal drugs for treatment of Ebola, Malaria

    Nigeria develops herbal drugs for treatment of Ebola, Malaria

    The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) announced yesterday  it has successfully researched and developed six traditional herbal products for the treatment of Ebola, Malaria and other diseases.

    Presenting the score card of his eight-year tenure (2009 to 2017) in Abuja  yesterday,the  NIPRD Director-General of NIPRD, Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, said ‘NIPRIBOL’, a fixed dose combination drug was developed by the institute for the treatment of Ebola Virus Disease

    The  institute has completed the Phase I study of the drug,he said.

    The programme, organised by NIPRD,was  to present the products researched and developed by the institute and present staff service awards to deserving employees.

    Gamaniel named other drugs developed by the institute as ‘NIPRIMAL’, an anti-malaria for treatment of uncomplicated malaria; ‘NIPRIMUNE’ an immunostimulant which can also be used to manage HIV ; and ‘NIPRIFAN’ for the treatment of fungal skin infection.

    He said that another product developed by the institute, ‘NIPRD Oil’, could be used as a nasal decongestant, insect repellant, air freshner and an anti-inflammatory agent.

    He however noted that excessive use of this oil could cause irritation.

    He said that “the institute has also developed ‘NIPRISAN’ for the management of sickle cell anaemia.

    “We are currently concluding plans to carry out commercial production and distribution of this product.

    “We have developed and implemented various institutional policies for effective governance, this include the scheme and condition of service, intellectual policy and quality management system.”