Don urges more funding for Malaria research
NAN-H-52
Malaria
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, April 25, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Ademola Olaitan, President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), has urged the Federal Government to fund research on malaria in universities to boost investment in fight against the disease.
Olaitan made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ‘World Malaria Day 2017’.
The event is commemorated on April 25 annually. This year’s theme is: “End Malaria for Good”.
He said the federal government had a responsibility to fund research being carried out in universities on how malaria can be prevented.
Olaitan said that although a lot of progress has been made in achieving a malaria-free country, more efforts still needed to be made in the area of educating the populace on causes and preventive measures against malaria.
“We need to keep sensitising and educating the people on what needs to be done to prevent malaria. People need to continuously be informed on the need to clear bushes around their surroundings.
“They should be sensitised on the importance of not allowing stagnant water within and around where they reside, so that mosquitoes do not breed there.
“The fact that government is giving out mosquito treated nets to the people is a good development. I think Nigeria and Africa has made appreciable progress in eradicating malaria,” Olaitan said.
He lauded the efforts of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in supporting African countries in the fight to eradicate the disease and the preparedness of the organisation to roll the world’s first malaria vaccine in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2018.
According to him, the introduction of the malaria vaccine by WHO is a big leap forward because once we have the vaccine, the prevention rate will improve drastically for the benefit of the continent.
NAN reports that Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a statement to mark the World Malaria Day 2017, reiterated the organisation’s readiness to roll out the world’s first malaria vaccine through pilot projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Moeti said the vaccine known as ‘RTSS’ will provide partial protection against malaria in young children.
He said the vaccine is being assessed as a complement to the existing package of WHO recommended malaria preventive, diagnostic and treatment measures.
According to Moeti, the test phase of the vaccine will be a milestone in the fight against malaria.
He explained that the World Malaria Day was commemorated to highlight malaria and its devastating impact on families, communities and development.
Moeti noted that malaria was a global and regional priority which continues to kill over 400,000 people around the world each year.
“The theme of `End Malaria for Good’ stresses the need to accelerate and sustain efforts to defeat malaria.
“Countries are committed to end the malaria epidemic by 2030 as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“World Malaria Day is an occasion to renew political commitment and continue investment for malaria prevention and control,’’ he said. (NAN)
KRY/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola