(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/thumbnail.php?file=health_374613465.jpg&size=article_medium) Prof. Chukwu
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Tuesday declared that over 90 percent of Nigeria’s 167 million population, which is about 150.3 million, are at risk of getting malaria fever infection.
He made the remark in Abuja during the press conference marking the 2012 World Malaria Day celebration.
According to him, the Malaria Indicator Survey conducted in Nigeria in 2010 revealed that about 52 percent of children aged between six months and five years tested positive to malaria through Rapid Diagnostic Test.
He stressed that prevalence was higher in rural areas, which is estimated at about 55.9 percent.
To reduce the infection, he noted that 47 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) have been distributed so far in 30 states of the federation.
However, the minister has directed the immediate distribution of the nets in the remaining seven states where it has not been completed.
He said: “Malaria is a major public problem in Nigeria; Nigeria contributes a quarter of malaria burden in Africa. Over 90 percent of the country’s 167 million population is at risk.
“It contributes 30 percent to childhood mortality in Nigeria and contributes 11 percent of maternal mortality. I must add that it reduces Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by one percent annually. It is estimated that malaria-related illnesses and mortality cost Africa’s economy about $12 billion annually.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria’, while the slogan is ‘Let’s work together’. It actually marks a decisive juncture in the history of malaria control.”
Despite the challenges, he disclosed that investments in malaria control have resulted in great achievements in the fight against malaria, with malaria deaths reduced by one- third in Africa in the last ten years, while outside Africa, 35 out of 53 countries, were able to reduce the malaria deaths by 50 percent in the same period.
Speaking at the occasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, Dr. David Okello, noted that progress has been noticed in the fight against malaria but that it is still fragile.
TheNation