Experts Canvass Research For Malaria Treatment

With about 625,000 deaths from malaria in 2020, health experts have canvassed for more research to curb the deadly disease.
Speaking at a one day Malaria Colloquium organised by ErensEkpirikpo Foundation in collaboration with Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Port Harcourt, the experts who are mostly medical laboratory scientists say new modern methods need to be adopted in malaria tests.
Dr. Easter Godwin Woke, National Secretary of Nigerian Biological Association submitted that poor and obsolete test methods was making cure for malaria difficult.
He argued that, “ inadequate assessments give room to errors and poor lab results. “
The medical laboratory expert maintained that gaps in malaria research is created by poor funding and obsolete lab test procedure.
Dr. Woke canvassed for a new test method adopted by World Health Organisation (WHO) known as “Malaria Microscopy” test.
The new test, he further explained, provides for more accurate test and result, “ there is need for microscopy training,” he added.
On her part, Dr. Hannah Omunakwe while speaking on the topic, ‘‘Management of Malaria and Covid”, reiterated the need for medical lab scientists to improve their skills.
She stated that since malaria and Covid-19 show similar symptoms, many people confuse the two ailments as the same.
One way to detect difference between malaria and Covid she stressed is to do sequencing of samples, pointing out that, “ the most common was the delta variant. Omnicron came but had fewer people testing positive.”
She also noted that, “clinical symptoms of Covid-19 and about 71 per cent are as symptomatic, but in Covid-19 there is multi organ failure.
Omunakwe emphasised need for more public enlightenment campaigns and advocacy as a way to educate the citizenry on the need to visit medical facilities if one suspect any symptom of malaria or Covid.