The Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Agency for the control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis /Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Usman Misau, has expressed worry over the low knowledge of malaria management among Nigerians.
Misau stated this in Bauchi while addressing journalists as part of programmes lined up to celebrate this year’s World Malaria Day in the state in collaboration with a non-governmental organization (NGO), Mamaye.
He said, “Though malaria disease is treatable, curable, controllable, and preventable, many communities still have low knowledge on the management and prevention of malaria particularly in Africa where the disease is endemic.”
He noted that every April 25th was set aside by the World Health Organization (WHO) at its 2007 World Health Assembly to mark World Malaria Day, adding that the same day is also marked as Africa Malaria Day to end Malaria in Africa.
Misau said that the theme of this year’s celebration is “End Malaria For Good,” declaring that malaria as a disease is one of the major African problems with 90 percent of the global burden.
On the prevalence of malaria in the state, the executive secretary said that according to the 2016 world malaria report, malaria prevalence has decreased from 17 percent in 2010 to 13 percent in 2015, adding that the number of people infected with malaria has reduced from 131 million in 2010 to 114 million in 2015.
He added that according to NMIS, 2015 children who are under five of age account for 27 percent of all cases.
The executive secretary further said that in Bauchi State, malaria prevention in children under five is 20 percent, according to NMIS, 2015.
Misau said that BACATMA was the agency mandated with the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating malaria response in the state.
According to him, Malaria is always transmitted from infected human to another human being by anopheles mosquitoes and commonly affect children under the age of five years, pregnant women, people suffering from sickle cell disease.
Misau, therefore, called on the people to always sleep under mosquito-treated net and ensure that their environment is always clean.
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