Nigeria may start malaria elimination by 2020 —Expert

DIRECTOR, Centre for Malaria and other Tropical Diseases Care, University of Ilorin, Professor Olugbenga Mokuolu has assured that if Nigeria stays faithful to all the key strategies of its National Malaria policy, the country may be able to start malaria elimination by 2020.

Professor Mokuolu spoke at the annual guest lecture of the Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan entitled “National Policy on Malaria: Issues and Challenges.”

Mokuolu, who remarked that achievements in malaria control in the country now suggest this, declared that there has been a significant drop in prevalence of malaria parasite from four per cent to 27 per cent.

According to him, there has also been a marginal increase in ownership of long lasting Insecticidal nets from eight per cent to four per cent, with more net users in the rural than urban areas.

The expert, who described intermittent preventive therapy as one of the safest preventive intervention for malaria in pregnant women, however expressed concern on Nigerian’s reliance on importation of mosquito nets as well as its distribution.

Mokuolu stated that at least 70milion dollars was needed for mosquito net distribution, and as such the need for a new model to ensure its distribution.

He also stated the need also for increase education to correct perception issues on mosquito nets.

According to him, “some have problem with the odour; some say it is itchy and some say when they sleep under the net, they feel hot among other reason.”

The expert, however, stated that Nigeria needs to have a new malaria map to know the distribution and burden of the illness to be able to re-strategise on the best approach to further malaria prevention.

Mokuolu, who remarked that everybody must be tested before malaria treatment, said challenges such as low confidence in RDT in private hospitals and inadequate number of functional microscopes had made diagnostic testing for malaria still low.

He assured of the effectiveness of Artemisinine Combination Therapy (ACT) for malaria treatment, adding that there was currently to resistance to treatment with ACT.

According to him: “Many people make anecdotal claim on resistance of malaria to ACTs. We must separate treatment failure from resistance to the drug. We do not have ACT resistance in Nigeria.

“But because it is reported in South East Asia and it is spreading, we must be part of the containment effort to make sure that it does not spread to us.

“Chloroquine has a body temperature lowering (antipyretic) effect unlike ACT that has pure antimalarial effect. So, if you are not treating malaria, ACT would not cure the problem. “

Mokuolu, also as a way forward on malaria control, stated the need for innovative ways to ensure all pregnant women assess intermittent preventive therapy for malaria during antenatal care.

Provost, College of Medicine, Professor Bunmi Olaopa-Olapade described malaria as a menace that causes death of many mothers and children in Nigeria.

Olaopa-Olapade represented by the deputy provost, Professor Funke Denloye urged experts to identify challenges on malaria control; saying without this malaria will continue to impede development.