Written By: Rev. (Mrs) Olabisi Omolona | CEO ROTDOW
Today, the Restoration for the Dignity of Womanhood marks the World Malaria Day marked worldwide every year on the 25th of April.
Malaria, as we all know, is a global phenomenon, however for us in the sub-Saharan Africa where Nigeria is, malaria burden is still a huge menace.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation show that about half a million deaths occur annually worldwide due to malaria infection, with 91% of these deaths in the African region.
The burden of malaria with us is still huge, particularly with the vulnerable population of pregnant women and children who due to their low immunity succumb to the death pangs of malaria.
This year we stand with the whole world to fight the malaria scourge with the theme ‘READY TO FIGHT MALARIA’. The theme highlights the importance of collective responsibility and commitment of the global malaria community in bringing together people in working towards a world free of malaria. World Malaria Day is aimed at taking immediate and urgent action in malaria control because the achievements in the fight against malaria are under threat unless urgent action(s) are taken to fight malaria.
Malaria is transmitted through bites of the infected female anopheles mosquito which carries the Plasmodium falciparum species. Once infected with the parasite, it travels through the bloodstream to the liver and back to the bloodstream where it releases toxins that present with the symptoms and signs of malaria. Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, body weakness, loss of appetite, body pains, vomiting, loss of consciousness and convulsions in pregnant women and children population.
The World Health Organisation has laid out some strategic intervention plan for pregnant women and children, which at ROTDOW we are highlighting today in our readiness to beat malaria together with your collective support.
The use of long-lasting insecticide-treated net. This has been proven to reduce the burden of malaria among the population that effectively use it. There is a notion that it is somewhat uncomfortable to sleep under but in a well-aerated room/space, it serves a great purpose of beating malaria and its attendant complications. The benefit outweighs any discomfort as it keeps the mother and her family from the hospital so that they can utilise the available resources on feeding and other means of livelihood.
The use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) by pregnant women. All pregnant women in areas of stable transmission like Nigeria due to its high malaria density should receive at least 2 doses of IPT after the first 3 months of pregnancy preferably after the mother starts feeling the baby kick. This has been shown to reduce placental infection by the malaria parasite. The malaria parasite concentrates in the placenta because of its rich blood supply and blocks nutrients from getting to the unborn child. This has led to miscarriages, preterm delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth and congenital malaria. All these adverse outcomes of malaria infection in the pregnant woman and her unborn child can be prevented by using IPT at least twice in pregnancy, one month apart. This IPT is our common Fansidar or Amalar which is given by the doctor during antenatal clinic. This benefit of IPT underscores the importance of antenatal clinic for all pregnant women.
Case management of malaria illness. This is the prompt treatment of malaria cases in pregnant women and children as they are at the receiving end of the worst complications of malaria such as unconsciousness and convulsion. Malaria parasite can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause convulsions for the child under 5 years and pregnant women. It is therefore right to treat malaria once diagnosed with the appropriate anti-malaria medication. The use of artemisinin combination therapy is still the best malaria drug treatment at this time and best prescribed by a doctor.
In conclusion, as we all know PREVENTION IS CHEAPER AND BETTER THAN CURE. We at ROTDOW advocate the use of the long-lasting insecticide-treated net for every pregnant woman and child under 5years, clearing of surrounding bushes, clearing of stagnant water, antenatal care for all pregnant women- as great tools in preventing the malaria scourge.
We at ROTDOW are ready to beat malaria. ARE YOU?
