BY VICTORIA OJEME
ABUJA – Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday, said over 150 million Nigerians were at risk of malaria fever.
Speaking in Abuja during a press conference marking the 2012 World Malaria Day celebration, the minister said the figure translated into 90% of Nigeria's population of 167million.
He said the 2010 Malaria Indicator Survey conducted in Nigeria, revealed that about 52 per cent of children aged between 6 months and 5 years tested positive to malaria through Rapid Diagnostic Test, stressing that prevalence was higher in rural areas, estimated at about 55.9 per cent.
According to him, 47 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) have been distributed so far in 30 states of the federation.
He said: "Malaria is a major public problem in Nigeria, contributing a quarter of malaria burden in Africa. Over 90 per cent of the population in Nigeria, put at 167 million, is at risk. Malaria contributes 30 per cent to childhood mortality in Nigeria and contributes 11 percent of maternal mortality. I must add that it reduces Nigeria's GDP by 1 per cent annually. It is estimated that malaria-related illnesses and mortality cost Africa's economy about $12 billion annually."
Vanguard Nigeria