WMD: Malaria Prevalence in C’River 24 Percent

WMD: Malaria Prevalence in C’River 24 Percent

The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Janet Ekpenyong says there is currently a Malaria prevalence of 24 percent in the state.

Dr Ekpenyong, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Calabar, on Tuesday, in commemoration of World Malaria Day, further called for more investments in the fight against Malaria in order to protect the vulnerable group.

On her part, the State Coordinator, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Paschaline Edim emphasized how important investments and innovations are in the fight against malaria.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government says the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine is expected to be in the country by April 2024.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this at a news briefing in commemoration of World Malaria Day (WMD) on Tuesday, April 25^th, 2023, said Nigeria applied for malaria vaccine in the third application window for the vaccine which elapsed on April 18, 2023.

Dr Osagie, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mamman Mamuda, added that Nigeria has also successfully submitted an application to Gavi for the RTS,S vaccine allocation, which is expected to be in-country by April 2024.

Correspondingly, the World Health Organization, WHO has expressed grave concern over the rising cases of Malaria disease across the African continent.

In a statement to commemorate World Malaria Day 2023, on Tuesday, the WHO, which stated that Africa recorded 234 million cases and 593 thousand deaths from malaria in 2021, also attributed the situation to its discovery that a substantial population of the continent lack access to healthcare facilities and also incur huge expenditures to obtain healthcare.

World Malaria Day is celebrated annually on the 25^th of April to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention and control, and the theme for 2023 is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.”

Reporters – Bassey Ebingha & Happiness Ifiok

Editor – Bassey Ebingha