Health

Malaria prevalence dropped in 2021 by 22%: Expert

Published

9 months ago

August 10, 2024

Kogi Project Manager Malaria Consortium, Kenneth Maduka has said that malaria prevalence in the country decreased from 23 per cent in 2018 to 22 per cent in 2021.

Mr Maduka, made this known during the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention briefing organised by the organisation in collaboration with Kogi Ministry of Health held in Lokoja.

He said that more than 28 million children were reached in Nigeria, representing 52 per cent of the global coverage of 54 million children in 2023

The project manager also said that malaria prevalence equally dropped by 16 per cent in Kogi and 27 per cent globally in 2023 compared with 2021 record.

“The drop is attributed to the successful administration Seasonal Malaria Chemotherapy (SMC) drugs on children between the ages of three and 59 months across the country and globe in 2023. In Kogi alone, 1.2 million children of ages three to 59 months were administered with more than 6.3 million medicines distributed under the Kogi SMC project in 2023. SMC is a combination of two antimalarial drugs: Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine and Amiodiaquine (SPAQ), given to eligible children of ages three to 59 months, only during raining season to prevent them from contracting malaria, ” he said.

He said that SMC project implementation began in Kogi in 2021 under the State Malaria Elimination Programme supported by Malaria Consortium, World Health Organisation and other partners.

“Our target for SMC implementation in 2024 in Kogi is 1, 184, 652, which we have already exceeded in June and July cycles. We intend to increase the figure during the August and September cycles of SMC implementation across the state,” Mr Maduja said.

He stressed that death from malaria occurred in 60 to 70 per cent of children of ages three to 59 months especially during raining season hence the focus on the age bracket.

The SMC state project manager commended the Kogi Government for fully supporting the programme which resulted in its success in the state.

Also speaking, Director, Health Educator Advocacy, Kogi SMEP, Orimodu Matthew, said the parley was to interact with the media to help increase awareness for advocacy and behavioural change towards SMC implementation in Kogi.

“We want the media to help promote the SMC campaign and activities, so that people can have behavioural change, correct wrong notion about malaria, and educate them to take the required free SMC drugs. Media should help to ensure patient engagement as well as encourage individuals to take active roles in their own healthcare programme,” Mr Matthew said.

Earlier, the State Programme Manager of SMEP, Dr Stephen Ake, said a total of 14,255 personnel were engaged under the SMC project in 747 Health facilities in 239 wards across the state.

According to him, the personnel include 1,871 Health Facility workers; 9,112 community drug distributors; and 21 state supervisors.

Others are 1,158 lead mothers (LMs); 1,158 town announcers (TAs): and 105 LGA Team.

Mr Ake noted that the state was also reaching out to the adults on malaria prevention through the IMPACT Project.

Health

FG Boosts Nursing Enrollment to 115,000 to Bridge Healthcare Gap

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

In a major move to tackle Nigeria’s growing healthcare workforce shortage, the Federal Government has increased the annual enrollment of nursing students from 28,000 to 115,000.

The announcement was made on April 28, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare and education sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The surge, surpassing the original target of 110,000 students, is the result of collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare.

The milestone was achieved thanks to the leadership of Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and support from industry experts, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, and teaching hospitals.

Health

Battle Against Malaria Gains New Fire

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Oso Abidemi

Determined to stamp out malaria, major health organizations stormed the University of Lagos with a sweeping campaign of education, free testing, and drug distribution.

Themed “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the outreach united Green Life Pharmaceuticals, Green Life Hospital, Seagreen Pharmaceutical, and Clearline HMO in a powerful push to fight the disease that continues to ravage communities across Nigeria.

Hundreds of students and residents turned up for free malaria tests, prevention kits, and vital health education. Organizers stressed the urgent need for community action, with a special focus on empowering young people to drive change.

Peter Nwosu, Executive Director of Green Life Pharmaceuticals, described the campaign as more than a symbolic gesture.

“We are here not just to mark a day but to make a real difference,” he declared, calling for sustained efforts against the deadly scourge.

Speaking for Clearline HMO, Dr. Oghenerukevwe Peretomode warned that climate change is fueling malaria through flooding and rising temperatures.

She called for stronger government support, innovation, and personal responsibility, urging Nigerians to use treated nets and maintain clean surroundings.

Chris Ikeagu, General Manager of Green Life Hospital, said the choice of UNILAG was deliberate.

“Youth are the key to this battle. They will take the message home,” he said, stressing that early detection and treatment remain vital weapons in the fight.

The event stood as a fresh rallying call for Nigerians to take the malaria fight personally, seriously, and urgently.

Health

Media Champions Demand Action on Vaccines

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Oso Abidemi

As nations mark the 2025 World Immunization Week, media practitioners across southern Nigeria have issued a resounding call for governments to urgently invest in vaccines and protect citizens from preventable diseases.

Speaking during a two-day multi-zonal dialogue organized by UNICEF in Enugu, journalists from twelve states pledged to intensify monitoring of immunization efforts, particularly in rural areas.

“The event spotlighted this year’s campaign theme: “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.”

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, stressed that vaccines remain one of humanity’s greatest victories, saving over 154 million lives in the past fifty years.

She warned that rising vaccine-preventable diseases stem largely from government complacency and called for renewed political commitment and funding for immunization programs.

“Vaccines have proven that fewer diseases and more saved lives are achievable when we invest,” Chiluwe said. “It is time to show the world that immunization for all is truly possible.”

Director General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Francis Nwubani, echoed the appeal, urging journalists to use their platforms to boost vaccination campaigns and reduce child mortality.

The dialogue ended with strong resolutions for continuous media engagement to drive home the message that no life should be lost to diseases that vaccines can prevent.