WMD: Expert Calls For More Attention To Malaria Prevention

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Dr Babatunde Ogunfeyimi, the Chief Medical Director, Ondo State Specialist Hospital,
Okitipupa, has called for more attention to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment to reduce the scourge.

He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Okitipupa, Ondo, in commemoration
of the 2022 World Malaria Day (WMD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that today is annually observed on April 25 around the globe to raise awareness about the pandemic that has continued to claim lives and send millions to hospital.
It is a day marked by all member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to underscore the collective energy and commitments of the global malaria community in uniting around the common goal of a world free of malaria.
The global observance has “Harness Innovation to Reduce the Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives” as its 2022
theme.
The theme is a call for investments and innovation that will bring new vector control approaches, diagnostics, antimalarial medicines and other tools to speed the pace of progress against malaria.

The chief medical director, who advised Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention, listed symptoms to include pain in the muscles or abdomen, fever, chills, fatigue, malaise, shivering, or sweating, vomiting and headache.

He urged medical practitioners not to ignore malaria cases in favour of other ailments such as Coronavirus, HIV, Lassa Fever or diarrhoea.

Ogunfeyimi described malaria as deadlier than other diseases and called for war against mosquitoes, being the carriers and transmitters
of the malaria parasite.

He said mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, dirty and unclean environment, which makes it possible to transmit malaria, especially during
rainy season.

He said “Nigerians must wage war against mosquitoes by imbibing cleaner environment, put away dirt, stagnant water and always sleep
under treated nets.

“Government is trying its best by giving treated nets to residents, but most people use it for something else.

“Many people do not take measures to prevent malaria, but I can tell you that malaria is deadlier than many other diseases.

“Anyone with symptoms of malaria should go to government medical facilities for test because the test is free for children and pregnant
women.”

He advised government to increase public enlightenment and distribute more mosquito treated nets to residents to reduce the
malaria casualties.

Read also: ‘African Countries Would Be Among The First To Benefit From China’s COVID-19 Vaccine’- President Xi

NAN reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 241 million cases worldwide and put estimated number of deaths recorded at 627,000 in 2020. (NAN)

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