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Malaria Related Death May Double By End of 2020 — NMEP



By Ajogwu Jerry


According to a research by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), malaria related deaths in sub Saharan Africa may escalate by the end of year 2020 if proper caution is not adhered.

This speculation was revealed by the National Coordinator of NMEP, Dr Audu Bala Mohammed during a media chat with journalists in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city on Tuesday.

The Coordinator ably represented by the Head, Advocacy and Social Mobilization Unit of NMEP,  Mr Chukwu Okoronkwo  revealed that before the outbreak of COVID-19, there is wide scale reduction in Malaria prevalence from 42% to 23% due to use of appropriate antimalarial drugs and adherence to preventive measures.


He reiterated that the outbreak of COVID-19 has compounded the issue of malaria and other key services. 


"With the onset of the current COVID-19 pandemic the Malaria challenge seems to be compounded.


"Outcomes of recent survey by Global Funds indicated that Malaria and few other services are being seriously disrupted on account of countries and their health systems response to the pandemic," he noted.


Speaking further, the Coordinator buttressed the urgent need to quash fears triggered by the virus, hinting that by end of 2020 death toll as a result of malaria may exceed the total number of death recorded since year 2000.


He advised that the country should curtail any disruption of restrictions on malaria treatment and preventive measure during the COVID-19 lockdown.


The Coordinator further disclosed that NMEP has initiated a Business Continuity Plan aimed at reducing malaria related deaths.


Also speaking at the event, Prof Olugbenga Mokuolu, a Technical Director in NMEP said there is a need to control COVID–19 while learning about it.


Mokuolu in a paper presentation titled, "Improving and Sustaining Access to Malaria Interventions While dealing with COVID-19 Related Stigma and Fear" kicked against stigmatization of patients suffering from the virus while advising the media to pass proper and timely information.

He predicted a 2–3% increase in mortality rate if there are disruption in the ongoing intervention scheme sponsored by NMEP.

High point of the event was an interactive session with journalists climaxing with insightful features of the National Malaria Elimination Programmes in Nigeria and their key activities.





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