The Commissioner for Health in Anambra, Dr Afam Obidike, says malaria cases are rising in the state due to the rainy season.
He said this at the ongoing state campaign on distribution of 3.8 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) on Tuesday in Awka.
He said that confirmed cases were on the rise, from 75 per cent in January to 93 per cent in April.
He added that “currently, test on feverish conditions for malaria is efficient in our health facilities and confirmed cases is
on the rise, from 75 per cent in January to 93 per cent in April.
“This is due to the fact that malaria cases tend to increase during rainy season.
“Those diagnosed and confirmed cases are well treated in our health facilities with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs)
and other anti-malarial drugs from our drug revolving fund.
“The data for the month of May data still being uploaded, but 94.7 per cent of feverish cases are due to malaria, tested with either
Rapid Diagnostic Test kits or Microscopy in our laboratories.”
Obidike said that malaria had been the leading cause of under-five mortality in Nigeria and under-five deaths attributed to Anambra
in 2021 was 26 per cent.
He explained that “before today, our ITN use in Anambra is as low as 33 per cent as against the expected 53 per cent as recommended
by the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
“The low use of insecticide treated net contributes to the rise in malaria cases and burden in the state.
“This campaign will, therefore, usher in the distribution of free nets across the state, and it is in partnership with the Federal Ministry
of Health and the open philanthropic funding through the Malaria Consortium.
“The distribution of the nets will begin from Aug. 2 to Aug. 17. We urge households in the state to use the treated nets as directed.”
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s determination to improve the health of the people, particularly the under-fives
and pregnant women who were vulnerable to having malaria disease.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites.
It is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
People who get malaria are sick with high fever, chills and flu-like illness. (NAN)
