Experts Urge Same Treatment for Malaria as COVID-19 Pandemic


Posted on: Mon 03-05-2021

Experts in the health sector have said that if the same momentum given to address COVID-19 pandemic is not done to malaria treatment, Nigeria may record more deaths from the disease.

They gave the submission during the Centre for Malaria Research, Diagnosis, Training and Policy, University of Lagos 2021 world malaria colloquium held in Lagos.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, FYODOR Biotechnologies, Dr. Eddy Agbo, in his keynote address, said other countries had leveraged on technology and increased investment in combating malaria as it kills more people than the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said while a high momentum had been given to address COVID-19 in the country, malaria burden had been neglected as the cases and deaths are under-reported, with the few reported showing high death and infection rate.

IN the same vein, Consultant Medical Parasitologist and Director, Centre for Malaria Research Diagnosis Training and Policy, Prof. Wellington Oyibo, said the government, private sector and individuals should push for malaria funding just like they did for the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that malaria is fast killing children and pregnant women on a daily basis than the COVID-19.

ALSO, the Deputy Director, Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Malaria Programme Manager for Lagos State, Dr. Abimbola Oshinowo, who was represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, lamented the behavioural attitude of Nigerians towards prevention of malaria.

Oshinowo, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, urged use of long-lasting insecticide nets and adhering to clean environment as the quickest and easiest way to prevent malaria.