‘Rivers Ranks Best Five In Malaria Control’

The Programme Manager, Rivers State Malaria Control Programme, Dr Mina Jaja, has stated that Rivers State ranks 5th  amongst the best 5 States in malaria control in Nigeria.
According to her, the State’s current prevalence rate of 11 percent puts it amongst the best 5 States.
“According to the National Demographic Health Survey of 2018, Rivers State met the necessary criteria as the best 5 states in the country”, she said.
Dr Jaja, who stated this as part of events marking this year’s World Malaria Day (WMD), noted that the criteria used for ensuring that mosquitoes are reduced to the barest minimum are when myraids of people sleep under the Insecticide Treated Bed Nets.
She stated further that “when people test every fever to ascertain if it is malaria or not before commencing malaria treatment, it goes a long way to check the trend of malaria.
“When pregnant women continuously use intermittent preventive therapy in order to prevent malaria in pregnancy, and when there is environmental management to ensure that there is no breeding ground for mosquitoes, too” she stated.
She, however, encouraged all residents in Rivers State to adhere to the above criteria in a bid to eliminate malaria in Rivers.
“I encourage you to not use the treated nets as fishing nets, or to demarcate your farm lands, but sleep inside the net”, She urged.
Jaja explained that 11 percent prevalence in the State is fair, “but we are trying to get to pre- elimination of 5 percent or less. All hands should be on deck to get rid of malaria.
“We are absolutely grateful for the efforts of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for creating the enabling environment for us to be able to work, particularly, through the upgrading of health care facilities in the state”, she said.
She cautioned that “every fever is not malaria. Ensure that you get tested before you get treated. Don’t work to any  drug store and buy drugs for consumption when you’ve not been tested for malaria, especially at this time of Covid-19.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “zero malaria, draw the line against malaria, while the slogan is ‘stand up, take action’.
The World Malaria Day is celebrated annually on 25th of April.