World Mosquito Day : Reps urge FG to declare state of emergency on malaria
By Tom Okpe
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2023 World Mosquito day, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Rep Amobi Ogah has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergence on Malaria in the country.
Ogah, representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia state, described Malaria as a deadly parasite with potential to inflict woes on the citizenry.
The Lawmaker made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja following the 2023 commemoration of World Mosquito Day.
The World Mosquito Day is commemorated on August 20th, globally with theme: 2023; “Fighting the World’s Deadliest killer,-the Mosquito.”
He said: “The aim is to raise awareness about the causes of Malaria and how it can be prevented and danger, posed by Mosquitoes and its borne diseases as well as laying emphasis on the ongoing global efforts towards combating the world’s deadliest creature.
“Considering the threat Malaria poses to humanity, every effort must be geared towards eradicating one of the deadliest killer mosquitoes.
“The House Committee on HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control is not unmindful of the challenges, faced by Nigerians in the fight against these ailments, especially in the fight against the control of Malaria in the country which appears to defile solutions.
“The Committee will work with relevant stakeholders in the fight against malaria in ensuring that monies budgeted for, are used for the purpose for which they are made.
“According to the World Health Organization, Four African countries accounted for just over half of all Malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria top this list with 31.3%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 12.6%, Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).”
It further stated: “I am aware that the World Health Organisation, (WHO) Global technical strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, updated in 2021, provides a technical framework for all malaria-endemic countries, including Nigeria.
“This document is expected to guide and support regional and country programmes on Malaria control as they work towards control and elimination of malaria.“
The statement stressed that
Technical Strategy includes, reducing Malaria case incidence by at least 90% by 2030, reducing its mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.
Also, “eliminating Malaria in at least, 35 countries by 2030
preventing a resurgence of Malaria in all countries that are Malaria-free.
“The prevalence of fake Malaria drugs will be looked into, to avoid further deaths recorded.
“We will carry out our oversight functions to ascertain the role of primary health care in the ‘Roll Back Malaria Programme.’
“Nigeria is a country in need of protection from malaria. Death toll from the disease makes up nearly a third of the world’s 619,000 deaths a year.” he added.
He further said there is a need to work towards total Malaria eradication to concentrate more efforts on the vector, being the Mosquito, adding that the government must work tirelessly to achieve this.
He called on the Federal Government to give more attention to eradicating Mosquitoes by engaging critical stakeholders in the health sector, including Non-Governmental Organisations, saying; “the burden of Malaria in the country is sequel to less attention given to the parasites.
He urged the government at all levels to do more in a bid to ensure that the dreaded Mosquitos was taken out of the country, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve this required attention.
He decries a situation where the government is not paying attention to the vector that directly interferes with its habitat and way of life, adding that it was imperative to turn attention to the eradication of Mosquitoes.
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The statement also informed that four African countries, account for over half of all Malaria related deaths worldwide with Nigeria topping the list with 31.3 per cent.
“The 10th House of Representatives will ensure adequate implementation of legislations geared towards eradication of Malaria in the country,” reiterating the committee’s resolve to tackle the prevalence of fake Malaria medicines in the country, adding that, “the menace will be looked into, to avoid further deaths.”
