Yusuf Oketola
THE Programme Manager, Malaria Elimination Control in the State of Osun, Dr. Olufemi Oroge, has asserted that the disease remains a public health concern, saying the fight against it is still at the elimination stage.
Oroge stated that the state is making progress in the fight against malaria but not at the intended rate, noting that Nigeria is contributing 31.3 per cent of global deaths and leading with 27 per cent of the global cases of the disease.
He made this known on Tuesday during a radio programme held to commemorate World Malaria Day in Osun.
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Oroge said: “Malaria prevention in Osun is still at the elimination stage, it means that the disease is still of public health concern, and the state is ensuring that this is not so anymore.
“Osun has been making progress in this regard but not at the intended rate.”
The medical expert said there has been steady improvement, though Nigeria is not meeting the target of the global strategy.
“The prevalence for Nigeria in 2018 was 23% and at that time in Osun State, it was 27.7, so we were higher than the national average.
“However, in 2021, by the time the result of the 2021 Malaria Indicator Survey came, Nigeria marginally improved, going from 23% to 22%.
“Osun State did a lot better, going from 27.7% to 19.3%. The average for Osun is better than the national average, but it shows we still have a long way to go”, Oroge said.
He advised that the best malaria control still remained the use of mosquito-treated nets and communal efforts and getting tested for malaria.
