Kano, Nigeria — The Society for Family Health (SFH) has raised alarm over the devastating toll of malaria in Nigeria, revealing that the disease claims nine lives every hour and burdens 97 percent of the country’s population.
This was disclosed by SFH’s Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Sesugh Deborah Oryiman, during a media orientation on the upcoming Integrated Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign held in Kano.
As part of the campaign, the organization plans to distribute 7.7 million insecticide-treated nets and administer over 15 million doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to children between the ages of 3 and 59 months in a bid to reduce the malaria burden across the state.
“Malaria remains the most common yet preventable public health issue in Nigeria,” Oryiman said. “Despite being curable and avoidable, it continues to affect nearly all Nigerians, especially children under five and pregnant women.”
According to SFH, Nigeria records nearly 110 million clinically diagnosed cases of malaria each year. The disease is responsible for an estimated 30 percent of child deaths and 11 percent of maternal deaths annually. Alarmingly, Nigeria accounts for 25 percent of the global malaria burden, with one in every five malaria-related deaths worldwide occurring within its borders.
Oryiman also emphasized the socio-economic impact of malaria, stating, “Malaria is the leading cause of absenteeism in schools, workplaces, and farms. It drains billions of naira annually through treatment costs, prevention efforts, and lost productivity. The disease also slows down national economic growth, reducing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by as much as 40 percent.”
Despite these statistics, Oryiman noted a slight decline in malaria prevalence as determined by microscopy, from 27 percent in 2015 to 22 percent in 2021.
She underscored the importance of preventive measures, especially the consistent use of insecticide-treated nets. “The most cost-effective way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites. Sleeping under treated nets remains one of the most effective strategies,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Kano State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Babangida Gwarzo, revealed that over 27,000 Community Mobilizers and Distributors have been engaged to administer SPAQ directly to children through a door-to-door approach across all 44 local government areas in the state.
Gwarzo urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the malaria preventive treatment, especially during the rainy season when transmission rates are typically higher. He also disclosed that caregivers would receive tokens as an incentive upon collection of treated nets.
The campaign represents a critical step in Nigeria’s fight against malaria, targeting the most vulnerable populations in communities with high malaria prevalence.
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