Health education critical in fight against malaria – Environmental stakeholders

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Environmental and public health stakeholders said health education has become very critical in  fight against malaria beyond the distribution of treated mosquito nets.

The stakeholders stated this  during the  commemoration of World Mosquito Day in Abuja yesterday, saying that  they are determined to implement other preventive measures against malaria disease.

Speaking at the event , the Registrar, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr.  Yakubu Baba, said creating more awareness is key, emphasizing that most locals in rural communities lack adequate knowledge on the dangers of mosquito as a vector.

Baba who was represented by  Suleyman Fatima, an Environmental Health Officer said malaria is a great killer in Nigeria today and mosquito is the cause.

He expressed the council’s commitment to fight malaria through effective sanitation and awareness campaigns.

The  Chairman Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Terungwa Abari,

urged government at all levels and other public health stakeholders to implement other preventive measures against malaria disease, beyond the distribution of treated mosquito nets.

While creating awareness on the deadly disease and how to control the vector mosquito in Jahi 2, Abuja, Abari said the main purpose of the World Mosquito Day is to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases and their impact on global health in honour of Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery on August 20 in 1897 that anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria.

He called on all stakeholders from the Government, Health Organizations, Environmental Health Practitioners, International Donor Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Media Practitioners, Civil Society Organisations, Community based Associations, Faith based organisations, to synergise their efforts in tackling the world’s deadliest killer – the mosquito, through multi-pronged approaches.

“We call on governments at all levels to step up deliberate efforts at controlling and minimising mosquitoes in our communities to the barest minimum. A lot of attention has been focused on diagnosis and treatment which is commendable. There has also been some progress in vaccine development. But more efforts need to be directed at the causative agent – the source of the whole malaise – the mosquito,” Abari added.

He stressed the need for continuous enlightenment and increased advocacy for sustainable practices that protect the environment while controlling mosquito populations is critical. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, which combine cultural practices, biological control, habitat management, technological innovations and community participation, can be effective in reducing the scourge of the mosquito.

“Source site management has to be enhanced. That’s where we the professionals come in. Intensive source site management activities including larviciding, adulticiding and other professional interventions will go a long way in this battle against this tiny devastating devil -the mosquito,” he further said.

The theme for the world mosquito day 2024 is ‘accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’. This year‘s theme stresses the need to address the gaps in accessing malaria prevention, detection and treatment.