NAN-HG-11
Malaria
By Okon Edem
Karu (Nasarawa), Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Mairo Bagudu, the Primary Healthcare Director, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, has attributed the high prevalence of malaria in the area to poor sanitation.
Bagudu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Karu that the messy environment and stagnant water found in the area had made malaria the commonest disease in the local government.
She, therefore, advised residents to avoid the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially near their homes as it could attract vectors.
Cue in audio 1 (Bagudu)
“Analyses in this particular area is mostly malaria; malaria has the highest prevalence range so you can see the untidy environment, stagnant water.
“They are advised to use their treated mosquitoes nets of which have distributed to most of the household.“
Cue out audio 1
Bagudu identified lack of manpower as a major challenge to an efficient health care system in the area.
Cue in audio 2 (Bagudu)
“It (this issue of patients over-staying in the clinic) just boils down to lack of human resources.
“We lack human resources at the clinic that is why just last week we moved four nurses and midwifes in the Midwifes Service Scheme there.
“So, I believe with the additional hands, service will be better than before.’’
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She, however, disclosed that steps are being taken by the state government in collaboration with the World Bank to upgrade the facilities and make available human resources at all at the health centres across the state.
Contributing, a patient, Mrs Esther Iwu, told NAN that the Karu health centre was always crowded with patients with only one or two nurses attending to them.
“If you don’t go there as early as possible on your ante-natal day, you will likely spend the whole of your day at the clinic, because of few nurses that they have,“ she said. (NAN)
MZM/OSA/YEE
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim
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