Commissioner Says Rainy Season Cause Of Rising Malaria Cases

Dr Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra, Dr Afam Obidike, has said that the rising cases of malaria are due to the rainy season.

He disclosed this in Awka on Tuesday at the ongoing state campaign on the distribution of 3.8 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN)

He said that confirmed cases have risen from 75 per cent in January to 93 per cent in April.

He added that “currently, test on feverish conditions for malaria is efficient in our health facilities and confirmed cases is
on the rise, from 75 per cent in January to 93 per cent in April.

“This is due to the fact that malaria cases tend to increase during the rainy season.

“Those diagnosed and confirmed cases are well treated in our health facilities with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and other anti-malarial drugs from our drug revolving fund.

“The data for the month of May data still being uploaded, but 94.7 per cent of feverish cases are due to malaria, tested with either Rapid Diagnostic Test kits or Microscopy in our laboratories.”

According to him, malaria had been the leading cause of under-five mortality in Nigeria and under-five deaths attributed to Anambra in 2021 was 26 per cent.

He explained: “Before today, our ITN use in Anambra is as low as 33 per cent as against the expected 53 per cent as recommended by the National Malaria Elimination Programme.

“The low use of insecticide-treated net contributes to the rise in malaria cases and burden in the state.

“This campaign will, therefore, usher in the distribution of free nets across the state, and it is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the open philanthropic funding through the Malaria Consortium.

“The distribution of the nets will begin from August 2 to August 17. We urge households in the state to use the treated nets as directed.”

Obidike urged the state government to improve the health of the people, especially the under-five and pregnant women who are prone to malaria disease.