Fidson calls for preventive action against malaria

Concerned about the prevalence of Malaria and the alarming rate of malaria infection in the country, Fidson Healthcare Plc has called on all Nigerians to embark on nationwide preventive actions against the menace of malaria in the country, in commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day.

The leading pharmaceutical company advised Nigerians to prevent malaria infection through the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). The company said improved sanitation and avoidance of stagnant water bodies are also other veritable means of controlling malaria.

The company made this call, following the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey reports by the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, which estimated that about 110 million clinically diagnosed cases of malaria and nearly 300,000 malaria-related childhood deaths occur each year.

It also indicated that in Nigeria, malaria is responsible for approximately 60 per cent of outpatient visits, 30 per cent of admissions, and also believed to contribute up to 11 percent of maternal mortality, 25 per cent of infant mortality, and 30 per cent of under-5 mortality.

Fidson’s Product Manager, Antimalarial, Mr Adesoji Fasanya, said this report is very alarming, as it shows that  Nigeria has the largest volume of malaria cases recorded in any single country globally.

Mr Fasanya further said that a bigger concern is the fact that malaria is preventable, but most people, especially those living in rural or semi-urban areas of developing countries don’t even know how to prevent it.

“This is why as a responsible indigenous pharmaceutical company, we are actively participating in this global campaign by enlightening Nigerians, through all possible communication channels, on how they can prevent the spread of malaria”.

He further explained that Fidson’s primary responsibility is to ensure the provision and distribution of high-quality antimalarial drugs at affordable prices. “We are aware that there is a direct link between poverty and incidence of malaria. Therefore, the cost of therapy must be affordable for patients to reduce the economic burden of malaria on them. This is one major role that we play”, he said.

Mr Fasanya added that the company also ensure increased advocacy on behalf of the low-income earners. “We are always talking about malaria prevention and control as well as an increase in awareness of the disease. To that extent, we partner with various stakeholders in the healthcare sector in this respect.

“We have sales representatives all over the country who engage in talks with pregnant women, school children, the general public. Malaria is a preventable disease. We, therefore need to stop losing lives to this disease. People need to be aware of how to reduce the chances of a vector bite. That alone is a major step in combating malaria”.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians to make deliberate and preventive efforts by keeping their environment clean, removing stagnant water from their environment, consistent use of long lasting insecticide treated nets and proper diagnosis before treatment.

Fidson’s support for the global campaign against malaria is another demonstration of the company’s concern for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and its commitment to adding value to the lives of Nigerians, in line with its corporate slogan “…we value life”.