WORLD MALARIA DAY - From Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike

WORLD MALARIA DAY: APRIL 25TH, 2016.

World Malaria Day is an international day observed on 25th April of every year  in celebration of the gains made in the fight against malaria and to further mobilize action of combating the burden of malaria through education and understanding of causes, treatment and prevention of malaria.

World Malaria Day is one of the 8th official global public health campaigns currently marked by World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO fact sheet of 2015 shows that there were about 438,000 deaths caused by malaria in 2015 within the African continent and is still the leading cause of death among children under five, giving us reasons to further take more pro active actions in the fight against malaria.

Malaria is a life threatening blood disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. Once the infected mosquito bites a human and transmits the plasmodium parasite, those parasites multiply in the host's liver infecting and destroying the red blood cells which may result to death if not promptly and properly treated.

Symptoms of malaria can be classified into two categories. Uncomplicated and severe malaria.  In cases of uncomplicated malaria, likely symptoms are cold, shivering, fever, headache, vomiting, seizures (which occurs in children), tiredness and sweat. These symptoms can be easily detected and treated with proper prescription of drugs or injections by certified medical personnel.

But in cases of severe malaria, clinical and laboratory evidence of vital organs dysfunction is shown which can be very fatal if untreated. Symptoms include fever, chills, impaired consciousness, multiple convulsions, deep breathing and respiratory distress, abnormal bleeding, anaemia etc. Death becomes inevitable if not handled urgently. 

The growing concern that the current spate of drug and insecticide resistance is a threat to the frail gains in malaria control over the years and Rivers State being a flat plain region of Nigeria with network of rivers and creeks in most of our communities which favours breeding of mosquitoes, gives us enough reasons to intensify efforts of ending malaria.

Malaria is preventable. It can be prevented by sleeping with insecticide treated bed nets. Long lasting insecticidal nets have proved to be one of the least expensive but most effective weapon in the fight against malaria. It is unfortunate that most of us ignore the importance of sleeping with treated bed nets as a way of protecting ourselves from mosquito bites that cause malaria.

Just like I will always emphasize, keep your environment clean. Dirty environment and dirty drainage systems with stagnant water serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Use effective mosquito sprays in rooms before going to bed. Mosquitoes that transmit malaria are most active at night and as such, we should endeavour to stay indoors (mostly children) before dusk and dawn. Most importantly, we should do regular medical check ups to know our status even when symptoms have not shown.

It is worthy to state that defeating malaria is critical to ending poverty and improving maternal and child health. Less malaria means healthier societies, increased attendance at work, schools etc. Malaria still needs to be given more attention due to its negative impact mostly on our children, pregnant women and their unborn babies.

I therefore call on all  stakeholders in the health sector, governmental and non governmental organizations, well meaning citizens of our dear Rivers State and indeed, the entire Nigeria, to reinforce efforts of reducing the burden of  malaria in our State in particular and the Nation at large.

Don't just watch people die of malaria. Let us all unanimously participate in ending  malaria for good today!

God bless and keep you and your families.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON,
The Governor of Rivers State.