Imported User:
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday declared that malarial treatment accounts for 60 per cent of the out patients attendance in its health facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos-- to mark this year World Malaria Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2012 World Malarial Day with the theme "Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria Initiative and Control" holds on April 25.
Idris stated that malaria was the largest and most persistent killer disease in the state.
He lamented the devastating health effects of the disease on the “vulnerable groups”.
The commissioner said in line with this year's theme, huge investments in malaria control over the years had demonstrated that reduction in malaria morbidity and mortality could be achieved and sustained towards near zero deaths by 2015.
"The state government has opted for a holistic approach to combat the disease, ranging from integrated vector management, advocacy, environmental, diagnostic and clinic management mechanisms
"Preventive measures have been put in place to combat malaria in the state," he said.
Idris hinted that 334,769 rooms with an estimated population of 3,570,113 in six council areas had been sprayed with the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) of long-acting chemical insecticides to curtail malaria transmission.
On the environment, the commissioner emphasized behavioural changes which included personal hygiene and ensuring that all drains were cleared regularly by residents.(NAN)
