Malaria eradication achievable through collaboration, says expert
NAN-HG-15
Malaria
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, April 25, 2017 (NAN) A Consultant Pediatrician with National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Adekunle Otuneye, on Tuesday said eradication of malaria can be achieved through global action and collaboration with government at all levels.
Otuneye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that 80 per cent of severely affected persons are children and pregnant women.
Malaria is a disease of public health importance. It is a life-threatening blood disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito.
Once an infected mosquito bites a human and transmits the parasites, those parasites multiply in the host’s liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells.
According to him, it affects 200 million people and accounts for half a million deaths annually, Nigeria alone account for one quarter of affected persons in Africa.
“Malaria is a key obstacle, not only to child survival but also to the attainment of the sustainable developmental goals,” he said.
He said malaria was caused by a parasite, Plasmodium specie of which P. Falciparum was responsible for the severe forms of the disease which the parasite is transmitted by the bite of infected female anopheles mosquitoes.
Otuneye said the typical clinical features in children, irritability, anemia, generalized body aches, poor appetite, vomiting among others.
“Some common manifestation of severe forms of malaria in children include severe anemia, cerebral malaria which is associated with loss of consciousness/coma.
“Others include prostration, low blood sugar, acute renal failure, severe and excessive bleeding,” he said.
Otuneye said it was essential to establish a diagnosis of malaria before commencement of treatment because these symptoms are non-specific.
He said treatment of malaria and its complications should be prompt with appropriate anti-malaria, adding that to avoid complicated malaria; use of arthemisinin based combination therapy was often adequate.
“To prevent malaria, there must be proper environmental sanitation by clearing and destroying potential breeding sites like stagnant water and overgrown bush around residence.
“The use mosquito nets on windows and use of insecticide-treated nets, particularly for children under five and pregnant women are crucial.
“The use of preventive therapy by vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and use of indoor and outdoor insecticides spray are also important,” Otuneye said.
Otuneye advised Nigerians not to assume malaria but rather go for check up, adding that early diagnosis and treatment was essential.
He said those with complications may need specialist attention and should be referred promptly. (NAN)
OEO/ESAN/AFA
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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Felix Ajide