In this report, TUNDE OGUNTOLA writes on the impact of measures taken to check the spread of malaria in suburbs of the nation’s capital.
Malaria is no doubt a burden on both the financial and human resources of endemic countries. Statistics from World Malaria Report 2020 reveal that three million deaths are attributed to malaria annually, of which one-third are children, while morbidity estimates run close to 650 million just for Africa.
In most countries across the world, malaria has indeed led to the loss of manpower for many organisations, students being unable to keep up with their studies and out of school for days, while families do have a hard time adjusting to the changing roles when the head of the household is down with malaria.
The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. WHO added that the intensity of transmission depends on factors related to the parasite, the vector, the human host, and the environment.
However, statistics by Severe Malaria Observatory in October 2020 show that malaria is transmitted in 76 per cent of the population in Nigeria who lives in high transmission areas, while 24 per cent of the population live in low transmission areas.
Reacting to this, the Officer in Charge (OiC), Koroduma Primary Health Care Centre, One Man Village, Nasarawa State, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Christiana Yamawo, noted that malaria seems to be on the increase in the community, due to lack of drainage and proper sanitation.
Yamawo urged residents who feel unwell to get diagnosed and treated quickly. She asserted that most people will fully recover if they treat malaria early.
Addressing the scourge
To address the scourge, the Voice of Impact Global Ministry in partnership with Save Your Liver Foundation of Nigeria donated long-lasting treated nets which were given to them on the spot. Also, antimalarial drugs and other essentials were given to the attendees randomly during the outreach.
Basically, the NGOs also diagnosed and treated about 400 residents of One-Man Village, Nasarawa State a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the one-day free medical outreach organised at Maraken Hall, opposite One Man Village Shopping Centre.
The NGOs are making efforts to roll back malaria and ensure that nobody dies from this life-threatening disease in the community.
In this locality, many women especially the pregnant ones have had to deal with the harsh reality of taking care of their family if the head of the family (husband) feels unwell due to malaria.
However, these non-governmental organisations have a mission to roll back malaria by enlightening the residents of the suburb on how to keep their surroundings clean, and also administering drugs to sick persons.
They believe that if a growing number of countries are approaching and achieving malaria elimination, hence Nigeria can.
‘’Malaria is a major cause of absenteeism in places of worship, workplaces, schools, offices, and markets, thereby significantly and negatively affecting the economic growth of the country. We at Voice of Impact Global Ministry are determined to achieve this. We believe zero malaria is possible, with greater commitment, investment, and innovation we will get there,” said the Presiding Pastor, Voice of Impact Global Ministry, Emmanuel Odugbo.
Strategy
As part of efforts to roll back malaria in the suburb, the NGO besides treating malaria-positive persons organised a health talk aimed at enlightening the residents about malaria.
During the outreach, a quick diagnostic test which only take 15 minutes was conducted. To achieve this, the blood samples were tested for malaria on spot by members of the outreach team. This according to them is essential in treating communities that may be difficult to follow up with due to demographics and access to information. If diagnosed with malaria, the team quickly dispenses medication on the spot.
While waiting for the results, the team also uses this time to spread awareness on the symptoms and dangers of malaria, and how people can protect themselves by using mosquito nets, long sleeves, and mosquito repellent, particularly when sleeping outside.
The team also leaves clear, picture-led brochures which people are encouraged to share with their friends and families and help raise awareness of the dangers of malaria.
The malaria outreach team was led by a senior medical laboratory scientist, working with the Federal Ministry of Health, Owoya Samuel; Dr. Gabriel Adipke, and Samuel Obekpa who work with the Nyanya General hospital Abuja and other volunteers from the NGOs who were all seen attending to patients during the one-day medical outreach.
The medical outreach according to Odugbo was aimed at combating the menace of malaria in the community, he noted that many residents did not know how deadly malaria can be especially during pregnancy.
A beneficiary of the outreach, Mrs Asabe Danjuma, said the enlightenment has taught them how to use mosquito nets properly and the need for them to keep their environment clean.
“We are very grateful for the enlightenment and the treatment. We now understand how dangerous malaria can be especially for pregnant women.
“We have also learnt how to use mosquito nets properly and the need for us to keep our environment clean”, she stated.
With the medical outreach organised by both NGOs, the residents are now beginning to be more conscious about how to keep their surroundings clean and how to use their mosquito nets properly through the NGO’s health talk programme.
Another beneficiary of the medical outreach, Mrs Musa Susan, lauded the initiative and stressed that the test and treatment have helped to alleviate sufferings which are always compounded by the lack of money to go to the hospital to seek good medical care.
Susan said she has been feeling unwell for some weeks and has been treating herself with local herbs without results before the intervention of the NGO.
“My husband is a labourer; he returns home sometimes without earning from his day job. He is caring but doesn’t have the financial means to cater to all our needs. Now that I feel better, I can support him,’’ she said.
The NGO efforts wouldn’t have yielded results if it did not properly diagnose the ailing persons, engage in proper follow-up on the residents on how to use their mosquito nets properly as well as keep their surroundings clean.
Another beneficiary, Sunday Danladi, lauded the non-governmental organisation for the free medical treatment.
‘’I could not afford to go to the hospital. I have been drinking some local herbs which tend to give me temporary relief. I am fine now and I remain grateful,’’ he said.
As part of efforts to end the scourge, community engagement and collaborations were part of numerous purpose-driven initiatives of the foundation to roll back the menace in the community.
Mr. Jimi Isaac Julius of the Save Your Liver Foundation of Nigeria noted that the foundation is partnering with Voice of Impact Global Ministry to combat the scourge. He added that the world is facing an epidemic.
However, despite the efforts of the non-governmental organisation at addressing and alleviating the plights of residents mostly pregnant women and children, funding remains an issue. These stressed the need for governments at all levels to collaborate more with the NGOs to make suburbs and rural communities a better place for dwellers.
However, amidst efforts by the foundation, data from Koroduma PHC shows that in May 2021 cases of malaria in the community, although dropped to 204 cases, increased from the next month to 207 patients. However, the cases of malaria continued to skyrocket as the PHC recorded 425 in July, and 513 in August 2021.
The report indicates that without funding for effective treatment, malaria mortality could double over the next month, and transmission will intensify if sensitization is not enhanced.
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