HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO GOVT: ENSURE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF MALARIA ACTION PLAN

REPORTER: EDU NWANNAH

Some concerned health professionals in Awka, Anambra State, have called for full implementation of Malaria Action Plans to reduce its cases in Sub- Saharan Africa.

They made the call, while speaking on the occasion of the World Malaria Day 2023, with the theme, “Time To Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.”

According to a Healthcare professional, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Otugo, the number of deaths arising from malaria cases were still alarming, despite the huge investments and innovations made in tackling the scourge.

Her reaction follows World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) reports that saying that Malaria posses a great health challenge to the people in Sub- Saharan Africa, with the region accounting for about 95% of the entire global burden.

It noted that in 2021, the global community was estimated to have recorded 247 million malaria cases and 619,000 deaths.

Mrs. Otugo, while applauding Government and International Partners for efforts made to contain the malaria burden, called for more awareness on the dangers posed by the disease to humanity.

She urged citizens to endeavour to sleep under insecticide treated nets distributed to them to guard against mosquito bites.

Also a Ward Health Development Officer in Amikwo Community, Awka, Comrade Charles Nworah, said people must appreciate investments made in malaria control by embracing the continuous use of insecticide treated nets to sleep.

Commenting on the essence of the Day, a public affairs analyst, Comrade Azuka Maduabuchi, urged government and its partners to commit more resources towards the eradication of malaria, especially in Africa.

Comrade Maduabuchi frowned upon the level of stagnant water bodies in the country, stressing that drainage channels should be properly cleaned to ensure adequate flow of flood and reduce the breeding of mosquitoes.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU