By Vivian Ihechu

No one should die from malaria in Africa because malaria is preventable and treatable, Dr Akpaka Kalu of the World Health Organisation, African Region (WHO-Afro),reechoes on Thursday.

Kalu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the world marks 2024 World Malaria Day, said the number of deaths from malaria every year in Africa was an indictment of our health systems and leadership.

Kalu is the Team Lead, Strategic Planning and Policy, Communicable & Non Communicable Cluster (UHC/CND) at WHO African Region.

He said: “No one should die from malaria in Africa; indeed, every single malaria death is a death too many because malaria is preventable, treatable

“The death of many people – children and pregnant women from malaria every year in Africa is an indictment of our health systems and leadership.

“It shows failure to tackle malaria effectively and sustenance efforts and progress made at its elimination.’’

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

He also said that though some progress had been made in the fight against the malaria scourge, there were also some challenges.

He said: “We made progress between 2000 and 2015 and since 2015, the progress stagnated for various reasons.

“In the last two years, it seems like we’re facing reversals in the gains that we’ve already made, and the reasons are many.’’

He said that the declining coverage with preventive interventions were some of the core challenges.

“Interventions like bed nets, indoor spraying, other preventive technologies include preventive chemotherapy, giving medicines to people in certain geographical areas to prevent bouts of malaria, ’’ Kalu said.

He, however, told NAN that the introduction in 2023, of WHO’s approved two malaria vaccines for use, had raised hopes.

The vaccines, when given to those in moderate to high transmission areas, will result in reduction of the malaria burden and reduction of malaria deaths.

Kalu said, “So, it’s a good thing to introduce. Malaria is being fought with an armory of imperfect tools.

“You know, we have nets, indoor spraying, medicines, diagnostics, vaccines, and all these must be put together and used together to have impact.

“We don’t have a magic bullet. We’re looking forward to that magic bullet and future.

“At this point in time, even when a child is vaccinated, they should still sleep on their mosquito net to enhance impact on interventions.

“So, there is no single intervention we will say you use, rather, it is a combination of interventions that will make a difference.

“I know at the household level, that might be cumbersome. But we have what we have, bottom line is that based on available tools, no one should die from malaria in Africa.

“Because, every single malaria death is a death too many because malaria is preventable, treatable.’’

NAN reports that the WHO, in its “Ending disease in Africa: vision, strategies and special initiatives, 2023-2030’’ report, stated that the African Region recorded an estimated 234 million cases of malaria in 2021.

This is approximately 95 per cent  of the 247 million global cases.

Also, the World Malaria Report 2022 found that Nigeria (27 per cent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12 per cent), Uganda (5 per cent) and Mozambique (4 per cent) reported almost half of the global cases.

These data represent extraordinary progress in malaria control.

Case incidence had fallen by 39 per cent, from 368 per 1000 population (SDG3.3.3) in 2000 to 222 in 2019.

However, from 2015, the rate of reduction in the incidence of malaria stagnated, decreasing by less than 2 per cent compared to 9.3 per cent every five years from 2000 to 2014.

A related trend was seen in malaria deaths with a 17.3 per cent reduction in global mortality every five years from 2000 to 2014, and a 15 per cent reduction in mortality from 2015 to 2019.

It said that nine countries reported an incidence per 1,000 population at risk of 300–400 in 2020, Nigeria inclusive, with an upward trend observed in Burundi, Chad, Congo and Gabon.

Malaria mortality was highest in CAR (105.2 per 100 000) and Sierra Leone (101 per 100 000).

The WHO says the SDG targets for malaria will not be met if the African Region continues at the current level of intervention. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

By Vivian Ihechu

Dr Akpaka Kalu of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted ways in which Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) kill the most productive population, thereby destroying economies and setting back development.

Kalu, Team Lead, Strategic Planning and Policy, Communicable & Non Communicable Cluster (UHC/CND), WHO African Region, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

He spoke on the sidelines of the maiden annual International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA) on chronic and severe non-communicable diseases taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The conference, with the theme: “Prioritising Person-Centered Approach to Chronic and Severe NCDs: Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, and Childhood Heart Diseases,” holds from April 23 to April 25.
It provides a unique opportunity for public health leaders and scientists in Africa and beyond to reflect on latest research on NCDs prevention and management.
It is also to share lessons learnt on integrated health systems, forging the way forward to create robust health systems able to provide vital care for severe NCDs in Africa.
The conference is hosted by WHO African Regional office in collaboration with the Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT) and the Republic of Tanzania.
The NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, diabetes among others.
Kalu said: “The NCD is a very expensive thing to manage. Hence, we need to integrate NCDs’ management and control within the primary health care system so that it is affordable and available to everybody that needs it.
“Until we do that, we are failing our people because it’s possible to do it. We have to do it as a matter of urgency.
“And you know who the NCD kills? The most productive population.
“So, NCD doesn’t just kill your people. It also destroys your economy because the skills set to run the economy are the ones affected by NCD.
“It’s an emergency because every one of us, everyone who perhaps is 40 years and above, is at risk of one NCD or the other.
“Go and look at it, people who are affected by NCDS, the majority of them are 40 to 60 years. The most productive, the most experienced hands in our industry are the ones that suffer in service.’’
According to him, some NCDs may also affect children and young people, but when it impacts the most productive sector of the population, like they are doing now, governments should worry.
“Think about yourself if you are in government. If you are in charge of deploying those resources, why don’t you think about yourself, the state of the health system, the level of access to NCD services?
“If you happen to get that NCD tomorrow, will that health system be able to help you as an individual?
“If the answer is no, then you’ll be foolish not to invest in building the system to take care of you.’’
He said that existing data should lead to actions to change the indices on the NCDs.
“For instance, if 25 per cent of your population, your outpatient consultation, is hypertensive, you should be thinking of putting 20 to 25 per cent of your expenditure to control this ailment.
“If you do nothing, that is basically abandoning the economy to be destroyed because this population will come down with stroke.
“And unfortunately, that 25 per cent will include you because you are in that age bracket, because your lifestyle is probably the same as the people that come down with it.
“So, for selfish reasons, leaders in government should invest in prevention and control of the NCDs, because you may be the next patient,’’ he told NAN.
Kalu stressed the need for government to build the capacity to monitor everybody to prevent NCDs and these would include screening for early detection and early treatment, advising people to be active and embrace physical exercise.
“We are relatively inactive. You walk from your air conditioned office into a chauffeur driven car to the next airport.
“Of course, you will come down with heart disease, cardiac disease, all sorts of things, hypertension, inactivity and that’s a challenge.
“Hypertension, different thrombosis, diabetes, and cancers will not warn you that they are coming.
“So, why don’t you build the capacity to be able to monitor everybody and prevent it or find it on time, screening and early detection and early treatment?
“Cancer shouldn’t have to kill, if it’s detected early, through a programme for early detection.
“We should ask ourselves what changes do we make in the health system in order to ensure that appropriate services are available and accessible?
“ Economically accessible, physically accessible to those who need it, because it can be physically accessible but not economically not accessible.
“This means you also have to deal with issues of functional health insurance,’’ Kalu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Veronica Dariya

Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT chapter, on Thursday, distributed free drugs to members of Bwari community in Abuja in a campaign against malaria.

Mr Onileowo Kayode, the Assistant Coordinator of the programme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the event, that the gesture was to commemorate the 2024 World Malaria Day (WMD).

NAN reports that WMD is annually celebrated on April 25 to highlight global efforts to end malaria, the need for sustained political commitment and continued investment for malaria control and elimination.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

However, Kayode said that the association’s gesture, tagged “Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems,” was in collaboration with the FCT Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

He added that the programme was coordinated by ACPN, Kubwa zone, with a view to reaching out to the vulnerable in rural area of Bwari community.

He said “those in the rural areas are most vulnerable to malaria and so, we decided to reach out and educate them on hygiene, give them the necessary information on malaria and how to prevent or treat it.

“We will also enlighten them on how they can have access to drugs from other private partners or government programmes like the Roll Back Malaria and the likes.

“For today, we will carry out free Rapid Malaria tests for as many as have turned out, we will give free counselling and also free frugs to each of them.”

The assistant coordinator also said that other drugs like antibiotics, multivitamins and anthelmintics for deworming were part of the package to be distributed freely to members of the community.

He explained that 25 pharmacists were on ground to attend to the people, while also sensitising them on how they can identify and patronise registered pharmaceuticals for authentic drugs within the community.

This, he said, was also a campaign against the use of fake and illicit drugs, as well as against unregistered pharmacies.

Mr Morris Bwaya, the Supervisory Councilor for Bwari Area Council, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the council, Mr John Gabaya, thanked the association for the gesture.

He said it was a timely development which would complement the efforts of the council toward ensuring better health for residents.

Bwaya said “the association has done wonderfully well, I am glad they chose Bwari for this outreach and as we remain grateful, we also pray and hope that the synergy will be strengthened to further assist our people.

“The council will continue to thrive in ensuring that some of these drugs are provided and sold at our different health centres at subdised rates.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ladi Paul, who expressed joy after receiving an antimalaria drug, told NAN that she would take the counsel from the association, seriously.

Similarly, Mrs Sarauniya Danjuma, another beneficiary, said it was the first time she was receiving free drug and she was grateful she benefitted

She promised to keep her environment clean at all times, while also sensitising others on the latest knowledge she received.

NAN reports that the outreach, which took place in front of the Esu Bwari’s palace, had a large turnout, with both the young, including children and aged men and women. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Kemi Akintokun

The Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN) has urged its members to be innovative and technologically driven to improve the quality of services rendered in hospitals.

A communique issue by IHSAN President, Mrs Rosemary Archibong, also commended the effort of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in improving the country health indices.

Archibong said the recently concluded National workshop and council meeting held in Niger was put together to remind administrators of their roles in ensuring the successful running of hospitals.

“The quality of health administrators regulates the success or otherwise of any hospitals and that is why the theme of our national workshop was ‘Building The Hospital Of The Future”.

“If the hospital is harmoniously coordinated, clinical professionals will carry out their duties efficiently and effectively.

“Hospital administrators are expected to be innovative, conversant with latest technology and be entrepreneurial conscious to improve internally generated revenue and development of the hospital..

“The efforts put in so far by the present administration to improve the health indices and rekindle hope in the health sector are commendable,” she said.

The body, however, urged government to recognise the certification of hospital administrators by IHSAN for the purpose of progression for its members in service. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Justina Auta

Nigeria and 15 other countries have been boosted with 36.5m dollars in new funding, to eliminate trachoma in their countries.

Dr Joy Shu’aibu, Country Director for Sightsavers, an international development organisation, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease, which begins as a bacterial infection that affects the eye, which causes vision loss and permanent blindness.

Shu’aibu said the funding was under it’s “Accelerate Programme” aimed at eliminating the disease by 2027.

She said: “Trachoma is a horrific disease, which stops people from earning a living, growing food, cooking and caring for their families and going to school.

“People describe the pain as like having sand or thorns in their eyes.

“Through Accelerate Programme, Sightsavers was able to support the government of Republic of Benin, to eliminate trachoma in 2023.

“And this new funding will supercharge our support for 16 more countries, including Nigeria to finally end the scourge of trachoma.”

She added that the additional funds would extend the Accelerate Programme, which began in 2018, as part of The Audacious Project, hosted by TED.

According to her, the new funding is from international donors, which include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

Others are: The ELMA Foundation and, for Zambia, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust as well as Sightsavers own contribution.

The 12 countries targeted to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2027 are: Botswana; Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The fund, she added, would also contribute support to Ethiopia, which carries world’s highest burden of the disease in the world.

Sightsavers has more than 70 years’ experience working with governments in more than 30 countries to control and eliminate NTDs. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Aderogba George

Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), an NGO, has called for improved access to healthcare in vulnerable communities, especially hard-to-reach areas.

The Executive Director of AYGF, Dr Arome Salifu, made the call during a news conference on Wednesday as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Malaria Day (WMD) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WMD is observed annually on April 25 to bring global attention to efforts being made to bring an end to malaria and encourage action to reduce suffering and death from the disease.

The global observance has “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world” as the theme for 2024.

Salifu, therefore, said that the theme highlighted the critical importance of advancing health equity, gender equality and human rights in malaria responses worldwide.

He added that “in AYGF, we believe that everyone has the right to quality, timely and affordable services to prevent, detect and treat malaria.

“As a result, we are recommending the engagement of communities in health decision-making because community needs are best addressed with the involvement of members.

“Soliciting their buy-in  guarantees sustainable interventions. These interventions can only be sustained when community members see the need to own and  drive the cause.”

He stressed the need to also address factors that increase malaria risk.

According to him, malaria is an ever-growing issue that will continue to affect and spread if measures are not put in place to tackle it.

He advocated awareness campaigns to enlighten communities on healthy living and adoption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure that all citizens access the full range of health care as needed without financial restraint.

Salifu called for immediate action and collaboration among stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery.

He said “the change we seek in healthcare cannot be done alone, that is why as an organisation, we identified relevant partnerships.

“As we join the rest of the world to commemorate World Malaria Day, let’s unite to accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

He said public health is one of AYGFs seven thematic areas, with major focus on malaria, Gender-Based Violence, mental health and nutrition “and we work to contribute our quota to the healthcare sector.”

He said AYGF had infused Intermittent Preventive Therapy for Pregnant Women (IPTPW), a malaria prevention component that focused on pregnant women.

“This includes the administration of Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine monthly at the beginning of the second trimester.

“Through this intervention, AYGF in two years reached upto 1,373,674 pregnant women in Niger, 273,976  pregnant women in Katsina and 727, 679 in Kogi,” he said.

He said that the aim is to prevent malaria among pregnant women and protect their children.(NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Folasade Akpan

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Nigeria being the economic engine of Africa, with its youth population, has the right modalities to harness possibilities for demographic dividends.

The Executive Director of the fund, Dr Natalia Kanem, said this on Tuesday in Abuja during her visit to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanem is in Abuja for the regional inauguration of the 2024 State of World Population (SWOP) report.

According to her, investing in young people is one of the biggest bonuses that a society can make.

She added that “we have a number of ideas for consideration with this government but tomorrow, we want the world platform to assert that the Africa we want is coming to fruition right here at home.

“Also, it is a sense of immense hope and possibility that brings UNFPA to want to collaborate more closely with you, alongside UNICEF and World Health Organisation and so many others who are working diligently to safeguard the health of the population.”

Kanem commended the Federal Government for putting into effect the principles of ‘leaving no one behind’ in the health sector.

She said “here, we find that the principles of leaving no one behind are being put into effect by the ministry that you coordinate.”

According to her, UNFPA focuses on young people, women, and anyone who because of sexual and reproductive health issues, being disabled or fall into any other category should not be neglected.

On his part, Pate said it was a great moment to focus attention on the people who are the most important assets the country and the continent has.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has been very consistent with people, being the core of his agenda.

He said “people are at the heart of his agenda. Children, women, young people, who are the drivers of the fast growth of a population, that’s the asset that we have in the long run.

“How do we invest in them, how do we harness them for the prosperity that lies in the future of our country?.

“To do that, we have to start where it all starts to the adolescent girl, to the young woman, the educated, well nourished, to have empowerment, to have the ability to control her fertility to protect it to be safe in whatever she does.

“That is the approach that we are checking and the President has given that direction.”

The minister also said that the ministry was embarking on an ambitious agenda to transform Nigeria’s health system to deliver first and foremost for women on maternal mortality and reproductive health.

While appreciating the executive director for visiting Nigeria, he said he was counting on UNFPA and other developmental partners to join in the effort to enhance the health of Nigerians.

He said he was looking forward to the inauguration of the SWOP report, as it would enable the nation to focus on doing more.

NAN reports that the SWOP Report, titled “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights”, highlights persistent disparities faced by marginalised communities worldwide.

The report, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, underscoring the importance of sustained investment and global solidarity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Uchenna Ugwu

Prof. Robinson Onoh, the Chief Medical Director, Alex-Ekueme Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), says the hospital’s target is to make the facility one of the best referral centres in the country.

Onoh made the assertion in Abakaliki on Tuesday when members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy visit.

He said the hospital had grown to become second in human capacity and personnel for clinical services.

He added that “our focus is to standardise the practice of medicine, and accreditation has been ongoing in various departments.

“Alex-Ekwueme is a strategic centre. We created an enabling environment to work for better service delivery.

“We want to become the best referral centre in the country. Our Hematology Department remains the best; Ophthalmology centre has
also advanced.”

On staff training, the medical director said the hospital had adopted retraining of health personnel within and outside the country.

He commended the correspondents chapel members for promoting activities of the hospital.

He said “health is pivotal; we should always remember that health is wealth. Our personnel are available to save lives. I urge you to
widen your support through reportage.”

The Chairman of the chapel, Mr Uchenna Inya, said that the visit was to familiarise with the institution in efforts to link it activities to the world.

Inya pledged the chapel’s support and continue to project the institution’s activities to the society. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu