We must look at fresh primary aspects of preventing malaria – EHCON boss

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr Yakubu Baba, said the roll back Malaria programme must take a fresh look at the primary aspect of prevention of malaria through the control of mosquitoes.
Dr Baba made the disclosure at a symposium in commemoration of World Mosquito Day in Abuja.
According to him, the burden of malaria has continued in the country despite the distribution of the treated mosquito nets.
“Studies has shown that even the mosquito treated nets beside the fact that they are not properly used by the target users, are also not comfortable for people considering the style of living in Nigeria.
“We are more outdoor in our activities than indoors, this suggests that from the hours of 5p.m when the mosquito begins to be active, most of us are outside; we cannot be moving about with mosquito net”.
He explained that even while in the net you still struggle to guard yourself against mosquito bite and a single bite will mean the introduction of a great number of parasites.
“So it is very important we envisage and bring to the front burner, way forward to eradicate or control mosquito. “Once you are able to get it right in terms of controlling the activity of mosquito the other value chain of malaria control will just be a walk over,’’.
He also identified gaps inherent in the current malaria control programme to include total neglect of the vector, appropriate research, environmental management and programming of activities.
“Programming of malaria activities has not being favourable to mosquito control activities.
“If you go to states or even at the federal level, there is nothing or no activities that are targeted at the control of mosquito which is the key responsible organism for malaria.
“Then if there is no concerted efforts targeted at mosquito how can we be able to really achieve the roll back malaria programme?
“Hence, it is really very apt to say that the malaria scourge fight will equally be meaningful if efforts are targeted at mosquito itself,’’ Baba said.
Also speaking National President of Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), Olakunle Williams, said mosquito has inflicted immeasurable suffering and claimed countless lives in the country.
Williams said other mosquito-borne diseases include dengue fever, Zika virus, yellow fever and others.
He said that these diseases have continued to ravage communities, impeding progress and hindering socio-economic development.
“It is incumbent upon us as responsible stakeholders to take collective action and combat this menace head-on.
“PECAN in collaboration with EHCON have been at the forefront of efforts to control mosquitoes and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Nigeria.