Global medical team decries high rate of malaria parasites in Ebonyi
NAN-H-99
Malaria
By Uchenna Ugwu
Abakaliki, Oct. 19, 2017 (NAN ) A global medical team, Jhpiego, has decried the high rate of malaria parasites in Ebonyi, which it put at 30 per cent.
Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin, the team leader, stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki, when the team visited the Wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, at Government House.
Otolorin, who is the Senior Regional Technical Adviser of the team, said that their mission was to introduce a medical exercise called ‘Transforming Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Optimal Pregnancy (TIPTOP).
He said that it was an innovative approach meant to expand malaria prevention therapy during pregnancy, which would as well increase prevention opportunities for malaria during the period.
Otolorin said that Ebonyi was chosen in the South-East because of the high rate of malaria parasites in the state.
Otolorin also said that Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique and Congo were four African countries selected for the project.
He said that malaria in pregnancy was responsible for death of 10,000 women and 100,000 newborns in the world annually.
The Global Project Director, Ms Eliane Roman, said that Jhpiego was committed in advancing preventive malaria in pregnancy.
Roman said that malaria in pregnancy had devastating consequences both in pregnant mothers and their newborns.
“I have heard how committed you are in addressing the needs of mothers and their babies, I commend your efforts on behalf of Jhpiego.
“This project is a landmark and an opportunity with three components which will generate evidence that we need for the World Health Organization (WHO) to inform change in policy on malaria in pregnancy.
“The project will also introduce a new opportunity for pregnant women to receive a life-saving medication at the community level,” Roman said.
The wife of the governor commended the team for choosing the state, and promised to continue her support in health care delivery in the state.
“Health is paramount in the live of everyone. So, based on your request concerning the project, I have given my support so that the conditions of mothers and other health problems generally will be addressed.
“We all know the damage malaria has done to pregnant mothers. I wish a permanent solution will be found among your approaches for great improvement in women,” Umahi said.
Also, the Commisssioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike, said that malaria in pregnancy was worst than any other health condition because it reduces immunity.
“Malaria is of public health importance. The team is here to bridge the gap, so that communities will be reached.
“We want to start with a pilot study on the project in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and the essence is to institutionalise treatment,’’ Umezurike said. (NAN)
UVU/OFN/OU
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Edited by Felix Nwadioha