World Malaria Day: Nasarawa Government Lauds Production Of Malaria Vaccine

The Nasarawa State Government says production of R21/matrix vaccine by
scientists from Oxford University would go a long way to help in tackling the burden of the disease in the country.

Pharm. Ahmed Baba-Yahaya, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health stated this at a press briefing to commemorate 2023 World Malaria Day on Wednesday (April 26, 2023) in Lafia.

According to the Commissioner, the vaccine is indicated for prevention of clinical malaria in children from zero to five years.

According to the Commissioner, malaria which is caused by a parasite which is transmitted through a bite from the female anopheles mosquito, is more dangerous amongst pregnant women, children of less than five years.

He stated further that malaria is capable of causing intrauterine growth retardation of the unborn child, abortion, pre-termed labor, renal failure and death.

He added that malaria is dangerous and was responsible for the death of so many people which was the why the Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with partners have invested a lot toward its elimination.

The Health Commissioner also wanted the general public to know that it is not all fever that is malaria and urged that residents should desist from self medication and visit any health facility in the state for testing and subsequent treatment whenever they are ill.

“The uncomplicated malaria cases can be handled by Primary Healthcare Centres while severe cases would be handled at the secondary and tertiary facilities,” he said.

Pharm. Yahaya also advised the public that for now the best way to prevent malaria is for everyone to endeavour to sleep inside insecticide treated nets everyday.

He also said that the government in collaboration with partners had done a lot toward eliminating malaria in the state which has helped in reducing its burden to less than 13 per cent in 2023.

He recalled that the government with partners had recently distributed over 2 million treated nets with a view  achieving zero malaria target in the state.

He explained that 182,678 cases of malaria were reported while 107, 582 cases were confirmed in the state between January and March 2023.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Verified by MonsterInsights