World Malaria Day: Disease Still At Elimination Stage In Osun - Expert

THE Programme Manager, Malaria

Elimina on Control in the State of Osun, Dr. Olufemi Oroge, has asserted that the disease remains a public health concern, saying the fight against it is s ll at the elimina on stage.

Oroge stated that the state is making progress in the fight against malaria but not at the intended rate, no ng that Nigeria is contribu ng 31.3 per cent of global malaria deaths and leading with 27 per cent of the global malaria cases. He made this known on Tuesday during a radio programme held to commemorate World Malaria Day in Osun.

Oroge said: “Malaria preven on in Osun is s ll at the elimina on stage, it means that the disease is s ll of public health concern, and the state is ensuring that this is not so anymore.

“Osun has been making progress in this regard but not at the intended rate.”

The medical expert said there has been steady improvement, though Nigeria is not mee ng the target of the global strategy.

“The prevalence for Nigeria in 2018 was 23% and at that me in Osun State, it was 27.7, so we were higher than the naonal average.

“However, in 2021, by the me the result of the 2021 Malaria Indicator Survey came, Nigeria marginally improved, going from 23% to 22%.

“Osun State did a lot be er, going from 27.7% to 19.3%. The average for Osun is be er than the na onal average, but it shows we s ll have a long way to go”, Oroge said.

He advised that the best malaria control s ll remained the use of mosquito-treated nets and communal efforts and ge ng tested for malaria.