As the world celebrates the discovery of malaria vaccine, 107,582 persons have been confirmed to be down with the disease between January and April 2023 in Nasarawa State.
The state’s Ministry of Health confirmed this, yesterday, in Lafia, during an event to mark World Malaria Day (WMD).
According to the ministry, 182,678 cases were reported, of which 107,582 were confirmed since January 2023.
The health ministry noted that the production of R21/matrix vaccine by scientists from Oxford University would go a long way in helping to tackle the disease in the country.
The Commissioner for Health, Baba Yahaya, said the vaccine was indicated for prevention of clinical malaria in children from zero to five years and pregnant women.
According to him, malaria is caused by a bite of a female anopheles mosquito and its consequences is seen more among pregnant women, children of less than five years of age.
His words: “Malaria is capable of causing intra-uterine growth retardation of the unborn child, abortion, pre-termed labour, renal failure and death.”
On the dangerous nature of malaria, he said it was responsible for the death of many people, which was the why the state government, in collaboration with partners, invested a lot towards its elimination.
Warning that not all fever is malaria, the commissioner urged residents to desist from self-medication and visit any health facility in the state for testing and subsequent treatment, if symptoms are noticed.
“Uncomplicated malaria cases can be handled by Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), while severe cases would be handled at the secondary and tertiary facilities,” he said.
Yahaya advised that, for now, the best way to prevent malaria is for everyone to endeavour to sleep inside insecticide-treated nets every day.
He also said the government, in collaboration with partners, had done a lot towards eliminating malaria in the state, which has helped in reducing its burden to less than 13 per cent in 2023.
