Ending Malaria For Good

In accordance with the United Nations decla
ration, countries across the globe celebrated
the World Malaria Day on April 25, 2016. The theme for this year is ‘End Malaria for good’ and the slogan is ‘its achievable.’
As expected, the celebration was impressive with the media and governments showing the desired concern. Of course, there were broadcasts, seminars and free testing and treatment of malaria in many places even in Nigeria.
As usual, after the celebrations not much will be heard of malaria until the next World Malaria Day. That should not be the case again if the world must eradicate malaria. The concerns shown and the resolutions taken should be used to drive public life style and keep the goal in focus.
Why the various countries must take up this charge is obvious. Malaria is a very deadly disease. It is among the three most deadly diseases in the world. Currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says 584,000 deaths are recorded yearly, while 3.2 billion persons are at risk of malaria globally.
Although WHO says there is a steep decline in malaria cases and deaths around the globe, the danger is still real. It was stated that Sub-Sahara Africa still suffers the highest malaria deaths. Meanwhile, contributions to global funding for malaria prevention and control is also on the decline.
The United Nations Agency notes that the drop in malaria cases can be traced to advances in diagnostic tests and treatment, increased use of insecticide treated bed-nets and effective drug therapies. Adding that winning the battle over malaria is critical to maternal and child health as well as the alleviation of poverty.
These are some of the reasons why the fight against malaria must be treated with more seriousness. Indeed, people need to be reminded of their roles in bringing about the end of malaria. They must maintain clean, safe and hygienic environment. They must remove stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes.
For those that are suspected to suffer malaria, there should be the discipline to present themselves to laboratory test and follow up with proper and full treatment. Over the years, the mis-use of some malaria drugs had resulted in strains of malaria that are resistant to drugs. Self medication should be avoided.
We think that countries should be worried that inspite of actions against malaria over the years, malaria has continued to be a huge pressure on the world. In addition to the new cocktail of drugs for malaria, the Role Back Malaria Projects have achieved very little and the need to know why those programmes failed have become imperative if the world must win the battle.
In Rivers State, the government did some kind of aerial spraying to kill, from the larva, the mosquito kingdom. In fact, a laboratory was being built to produce microbiolarvacite, not only to sustain the battle against mosquito locally, but to also provide the chemicals for other States in Nigeria at a fee. This project involves multi-billion Naira plan but nothing is being heard of it anymore.
The Tide thinks that celebrating the World Malaria Day without taking stock of activities of the past will not amount to much. It is possible that some of the former steps, especially the elimination of malaria from the embryo can be revisited and relaunched. This is because the principal causative agent, the mosquito has also become difficult to deal with at the household level.
Also critical is the case of fake and counterfeit drugs. Some persons have continued to import substances that lead many to their early graves, instead of treating their malaria. Even so, the practice of self medication is also another issue that must be addressed.

We are also aware of the free malaria drugs programme of the Federal Government. In spite of the notice on the drug, these drugs were sold, even in private medical facilities. Again, steps can be taken to identify the leak with a view to combining this gesture with another to respond to the malaria challenge in Nigeria?
On the part of government, efforts should be made to ensure full access, not only to functional health facilities, but also personnel that understand the emergency that malaria presents. On the other hand, public health officers should inspect homes and offices with a view to enforcing minimum health standards.
These steps must add up to bringing malaria to the end for good. Nations and corporate organisations must re-connect to malaria funding. More bed-nets and new test kits for malaria should be available to the people, while public enlightenment on the subject should be sustained across the globe.