🌍 Combating Malaria in Nigeria: A Multi-Pronged Approach 🦟
Malaria is a significant public health threat, with Africa accounting for 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria-related deaths. Alarmingly, around 80% of all malaria fatalities in the Region involve children under the age of 5.
Nigeria (31.3%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6%), Tanzania (4.1%), and Niger (3.9%) together represent over half of worldwide malaria fatalities.
🇳🇬The Nigerian Case
Nigeria’s environment is ideal for the survival and proliferation of mosquitoes – the primary vectors of malaria. Open waste disposal sites, clogged drainage systems, and inadequate piped water supply result in people storing water in containers at home, providing perfect mosquito breeding grounds.
The country’s humidity and altitude support the reproductive stages of the parasite within mosquitoes and facilitate mosquito movement, respectively.
Nigeria’s large population further exacerbates malaria transmission, as densely populated areas make it easier for mosquitoes to find hosts to transmit the malaria parasite. Additionally, a sizeable population places a strain on sanitation services, leading to more mosquito breeding sites.
Acknowledging the threat this poses to sustainable development, the Nigerian government and its partners have focused their efforts on protecting children from malaria.
📍Three Key Measures :
1️⃣ The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approved the R21 malaria vaccine. This vaccine, most effective for children aged five to 36 months, demonstrates 77% efficacy in preventing infection and reducing severe malaria cases. By decreasing severe malaria occurrences, the vaccine indirectly reduces malaria-related mortality
The vaccine will complement existing malaria control tools, such as preventive treatment and bed net distribution.
2️⃣ Bed nets are regularly distributed to eligible states, with COVID-19 not causing any interruptions. Due to Nigeria’s large population, mass rollout campaigns are conducted, with each state managing its own campaign. The improvements in malaria control observed over the past five to seven years can be attributed to the local and territorial involvement of various states.
3️⃣ Nigeria also serves as a global example of implementing preventive chemotherapy. In 21 of the 36 states, over 25 million children under five have been reached in each intervention cycle. With four cycles per year, this has helped reduce mortality.
Addressing malaria requires a national ecosystem approach, as development plays a vital role in reducing the burden.
In order to fully eradicate the disease, Nigeria needs additional support to consolidate current progress, access to new tools, strengthening of health systems, increased availability of vaccines and local manufacturing or production of malaria control products.