What About Malaria?

[Shola Sholaz]

MINISTER of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu last year announced that more than 90 per cent of Nigeria's population, 150.3 million (the population of ECOWAS countries without Nigeria), is at risk of malaria infection. His prescribed emergency plan was use of more mosquito nets.
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Like all those before him, the Minister summarises the malaria scourge in clichés that belie the ruination from malaria.
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"Malaria is a major public problem in Nigeria; Nigeria contributes a quarter of malaria burden in Africa. Over 90 per cent of the country's 167 million people are at risk.
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It contributes 30 per cent to childhood mortality in the country and contributes 11 per cent of maternal mortality. I must add that it reduces Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product by one per cent annually. It is estimated that malaria-related illnesses and mortality cost Africa's economy about $12 billion annually," the Minister chanted.

[Shola Sholaz]