BACATIMA: Children accounts for 61 per cent of malaria deaths globally

From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) has said that children accounts for 61 per cent of all malaria deaths globally.
Executive Chairman of the Agency Dr Mohammed Sambo Alkali stated this while briefing newsmen on malaria response in Bauchi State to mark the 2019 World Malaria Day.
He said in Africa, Malaria accounts for 90 per cent of the world cases of malaria and 91 per cent of malaria deaths adding that Nigeria accounts for 25 per cent of global malaria burden and 19 per cent of the global deaths.
Alkali said that malaria is a disease caused by a protozoan called plasmodium said the disease commonly affects children under five years of age, pregnant mothers, Sicklers and people with low immunity.
The chairman enumerated the symptoms of the disease to include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, loss of appetite adding that severe malaria causes confusion, convulsions, loss of consciousness, lack of blood, yellow discoloration of eyes and bleeding.
He said ” The treatment is with Artemism Based Combination Therapy (ACT), Malaria can be prevented through health education, early diagnosis and treatment, use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLINS), intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for pregnant Mothers, Environmental management which include Indoor Residual Spray (IRS), outdoor spray of mosquito and other measures”.
Alkali said that BACATMA distributed 3.8 million mosquito nets, conducted house to house campaign on nets utilization in 60 communities in the state in 2018 as part of effort to reduce the effect of mosquitoes in the society.
He said as part of activities marking this year’s world malaria day, they would embark on five days environmental management in communities within the state capital and train personnel on the disease.