ON WORLD MALARIA DAY

ON WORLD MALARIA  DAY

                  

                             By:                                                  Nurudeen Dauda

           April 25, 2018

nurudeendauda24@gmail. com nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com. 

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It was alleged that , one of the "reasons" for the introduction of the Policy of "Indirect Rule" in Nigeria by the British colonialists was the fear of "Mosquitoes " and "Tsetse flies" which were then said to be wide spread in Africa. It was said, Africa was regarded as "Whiteman's grave"by the Europeans themselves due to Malaria fever.

World Malaria Day is commemorated every year on the 25th of April to recognize global efforts to prevent and control Malaria globally. This year’s World Malaria Day theme is "Ready to Beat Malaria". However, as the popular saying goes: " prevention is better than cure". Let's pay more attention to prevention rather cure.

In my observation, we pay little or no attention to the prevention of Malaria. In my humble suggestion, the Federal ministry  of "Health" and "Environment" as well as  their states Ministries of Health and Environment should and or must do more in the areas of "educating", "informing" and "enlightening" of the members of the public towards prevention of Malaria rather than its management . 

 

In my observation, the two major sickness that affect our people most in the country are: "Malaria" and "Typhoid" fevers. These are all environmental related illnesses. Our poor sanitation and hygiene are to a reasonable extent responsible for most of it. We do not pay more attention to our environment and its cleanness. This must be changed! 

Malaria and Typhoid are essentially caused by"Germs" which for "Malaria" is being transmitted through "MOSQUITOES" bite and for "Typhoid" is being transmitted through contaminated "WATER" or "FOOD". Malaria remains one of the oldest diseases in the world. According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, 3.4 billion people live in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 91 countries and territories.

We dump refuse indiscriminately. If we must get it right,we must avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse which causes the spread of Mosquitoes and flies in our environment . Our bad habits of dumping refuse in our gutters must be stopped, if we must get it right . We must avoid allow stagnated water in our gutters. Our lack or poor latrine system or toilets is also responsible for the spread of Mosquitoes and flies.  

Our slaughter houses or abattoirs are poorly maintained and rightly build in the mid of residential houses. Most of our sources of drinking water is not portable . Most of our sources of drinking water is not covered.We do not longer clear our gutters, we do not cut our  glasses low which all contribute to the spread of Mosquitoes and flies. We dump refuse anyhow, we buy meat, Fish etc., from open places.

 

The Ministries of "Health" and "Environment" must wake up and do their work of educating and enlightenment as well as "Enforcement" of the relevant laws on Sanitation and Hygiene. We need proper enforcement on our environmental laws. Let government be responsible enough in discharging its responsibilities.

Let the government do more in the areas of enlightenment of the members of the public on the need for better sanitation and hygiene. Let's our respective environmental officers be up and doing in the areas of enlightenment and education of our people on the need for better sanitation and hygiene as a means of preventing environmental related diseases.

In my suggestion, let's bring back the famous monthly Sanitation with full enforcement by the famous Sanitary Inspectors, called DUBAGARIS in the North and WALE- WALE in the West etc. Let's kick Malaria out Nigeria. 

"Malaria is one of the the deadliest diseases known to man - and it still infects millions of people every year. Neneary half the world's population is at risk of Malaria -a disease that killed 445,000 people in 2016. Of these figures, 285,000 were African children who did not live to see their fifth birthday. It is heartbreaking to know that Malaria claims a child's life every two minutes according WHO world Malaria Report for 2017"- Aliko Dangote Foundation (Daily Trust : April 25, 2018).

The following steps needed to  be taken in to prevent Malaria fever: Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Spraying insecticides indoors or apply repellents. Getting rid of stagnant water around your environment as they help mosquitoes breed.Clearing cloth clusters or piled laundry as they present a hiding place. 

May God bless Nigeria!