SRHIN AFRICA Website
Written by: Mercy Ogunwale
Malaria, a pressing health concern in Nigeria, presents substantial obstacles for both citizens and healthcare workers. This burden, along with other factors, has created a crisis that demand attention. Malaria’s widespread prevalence strains the healthcare system and hinders productivity. Addressing this requires better public awareness, access to preventive measures and stronger healthcare infrastructure.
By allocating resources and employing comprehensive strategies, Nigeria can
mitigate malaria’s impact, fostering a healthier and more prosperous future.
BURDEN OF MALARIA IN NIGERIA
Malaria poses a significant challenge in Nigeria, causing numerous illnesses and thousands of deaths annually. According to the WHO, Nigeria accounted for 31% of global malaria-related deaths in 2021. This has not only brought hardships tomany individuals but has also delayed the country’s economic progress. Despite
diligent efforts by the healthcare sector, the battle against malaria persists. Malaria
affects people of all ages, but its impact is particularly severe on young children
and expectant mothers due to their weaker immune systems. Pregnant women who
are infected with malaria are at risk of anemia and giving birth to underweight or
stillborn babies, resulting in serious health consequences. In 2022, malaria was
responsible for 11% of maternal deaths linked to pregnancy. The economic toll of
malaria is substantial. In 2022 alone, Nigeria spent an estimated $1.6 billion on
malaria-related expenses, as stated by Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire. Beyond
the financial burden, malaria drives up healthcare costs, reduces productivity,
hinder school attendance, and poses challenges to agricultural productivity.
FACTORS AFFECTING MALARIA SPREAD IN NIGERIA
The persistence of malaria in Nigeria can be attributed to several factors, many of
which are intertwined with the country’s current circumstances. Challenges such as
inadequate healthcare facilities, limited availability of effective treatment, and
inadequate awareness about preventive measures contribute significantly to this
issue. Moreover, environmental factors like stagnant water and poor sanitation
create favorable conditions for malaria carrying mosquitoes to thrive.
Inadequate healthcare infrastructure poses a significant obstacle in the fight against
malaria. The lack of well-equipped medical centers and trained healthcare
professionals hinder the timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease which allows
malaria to persist and spread within communities.
Limited access to effective treatment further intensify the problem. When people
are unable to access the right medications or medical advice promptly, the disease
can take a more severe course and lead to complications. This also contributes to
the cycle of transmission as untreated individuals continue to spread the infection.
Lack of awareness about preventive measures is another critical factor. Many
people may not know how to protect themselves from malaria or may
underestimate the importance of using preventive tools such as bed nets and insect
repellents.
Environmental conditions play a crucial role in malaria transmission. Stagnant
water bodies, often resulting from poor drainage systems, become breeding
grounds for mosquitoes. These mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite and transmit
it to humans through their bites. Additionally, inadequate sanitation and waste
management provide mosquitoes with additional places to breed and multiply.
PROGRESS AND IMPACT IN COMBATING MALARIA IN NIGERIA
In the face of these challenges, commendable actions have been taken to tackle
malaria in Nigeria. The World Health Organization has been instrumental in this effort by introducing key programs like the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), the National Malaria
Strategic Plan, and the recently formed Nigeria End Malaria Council in August 2022.
To reduce malaria’s impact, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)
of the Federal Ministry of Health has worked with partners to expand important
actions. These include distributing insecticide treated nets, targeted indoor spraying
to kill mosquitoes, providing preventive treatment during pregnancy, and ensuring
effective case management.
According to a report from the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, more people have
been using insecticide treated bed nets, rising from 64% in 2018 to 75% in 2022.
This effort has resulted in fewer malaria cases, dropping from 10% in 2018 to 4%
in 2022. Additionally, the use of effective medicines like artemisinin-based
combination therapy went up from 61% in 2018 to 74% in 2022. This
improvement can be attributed to increased government funding for malaria
control and better access to these medicines.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO FIGHTING MALARIA IN NIGERIA
An innovative approach to combating malaria in Nigeria is utilizing drones for the
delivery of essential supplies such as bed nets and medications. Drones offer the
ability to rapidly transport supplies to remote and challenging location where
traditional transportation methods may not be feasible. This strategy is especially
beneficial to areas where the infrastructure for traditional transportation is
inadequate. Beyond the utilization of drones, other technological advancements
such as mobile applications and artificial intelligence are also being employed to
help monitor and track malaria cases, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of
treatments.
An emerging strategy that can be employed to reduce the prevalence of malaria in
Nigeria is the development of genetically modified mosquitoes, which are
incapable of transmitting the malaria parasites. These transgenic mosquitoes are
been released into the environment where they can compete with wild mosquitoes
and reduce the overall population. This approach helps to reduce the incidence of
malaria in Nigeria.
UNITING TO COMBAT MALARIA IN NIGERIA
To address the pressing issue of malaria in Nigeria, it is very essential that governments, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and the global community come
together. Adequate funding, strong political commitment, and sustainable
healthcare systems are significant in achieving substantial progress in reducing
malaria cases. By prioritizing preventive measures, early diagnosis, and prompt
treatment, we can collectively work towards a significant reduction of malaria’s
impact in Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
While malaria continues to pose a daunting challenge in Nigeria, the country’s
resolute commitment to curbing its prevalence holds promise for a brighter future.
Through strategic partnerships between the private and public sectors, fostering
innovation, and allocating resources to new initiatives, this can pave way for both
growth and a substantial reduction in the incidence of malaria. Active engagement
of every individual, each contributing their part can create a healthier Nigeria, free
from the burden of malaria.