Nassarawa State Government has said it recorded a total of 182, 678 malaria cases between January and march this year.
According to Vanguard, the state Commissioner of Health, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya disclosed this Wednesday in Lafia, the state Capital at a press briefing to mark this year’s World malaria day in the state.
The commissioner explained that out of the number , 107, 582 malaria cases were confirmed in the state adding that the production of R21/ matrix vaccine by scientists from Oxford University would help in tackling the burden of the disease in the country.
According to the Commissioner, the state government in collaboration with partners had done a lot toward eliminating malaria in the state which he said has helped in reducing the prevalence to less than 13 percent in 2023.
He further explained that the Nasarawa state government in conjunction with partners had recently distributed over 2 million treated nets to the residents of the state with a view achieving zero malaria target in the state.
While commending the efforts of the scientists in the production of the vaccine designed for the prevention of clinical malaria in children from ages of zero to five years, however posited that measures were being deployed to distribute more malaria nets to the vulnerable children, pregnant women to prevent the malaria cases in the state.
“Malaria is caused by a bite of a female anopheles mosquito and its consequences is seen more amongst pregnant women, children of less than five years.
“The disease is capable of causing intrauterine growth retardation of the unborn child, abortion, pre-termed labour, renal failure and death”.
“Malaria is dangerous and is responsible for the death of so many people which is the the reason the state government in collaboration with partners are investing heavenly to ensure the elimination of the disease in Nasarawa.”
He warned Nigerians against the perception that all fever is malaria and urged the residents to desist from self medication and visit any health facility in the state for testing and subsequent treatment if found.
“The uncomplicated malaria cases can be handle by Primary Healthcare Centres while severe cases would be handled at the secondary and tertiary facilities,” he said.
The commissioner advised the public to take advantage of the facilities being provided by the state government to prevent malaria by sleeping inside insecticide treated nets everyday.