World Malaria Day: NAWOJ Advocates Zero Malaria
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the Federal Government to urgently develop a strong political will towards eliminating malaria in the country.
The association made the call in a release by it president, Ladi Bala and secretary, Helen Udofa, to mark the 2021 edition of the World Malaria Day, being observed worldwide on April 25.
NAWOJ, quoting the 2019 World Malaria Report, said Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (25 per cent) in 2018 and accounted for the highest number of global deaths (24 per cent).
It said the alarming figure is unacceptable and stressed that this year’s theme: “Zero Malaria, Draw the Line Against Malaria” is an indication that malaria is preventable, and therefore every malaria-related death is unacceptable.
It notes that as a country that bears the brunt of malaria burden, Nigeria should therefore be leading the cause to stamp out malaria by 2030, adding: “If we are aiming for zero malaria by this year, there is the need for a strong primary health care system that must ensure access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment services.”
NAWOJ admonished that, at the individual level, all Nigerians must also take personal responsibility to eliminate malaria in the country, adding that zero- malaria begins with every Nigerian.
“It is imperative for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito net particularly pregnant women and children from age zero to five. Eliminating mosquito’s breeding sites as well as proper sanitation of surroundings will help in the fight against the disease,” it said.
NAWOJ therefore calls on women groups, non governmental organisation and concern bodies to intensify advocacy and awareness campaign to enlist the support of all and sundry in the fight against the disease.
