By Magit Yusufu Haruna
Health is often regarded as wealth, a healthy society is a wealthy one. Therefore, any attempt to compromise the health of human beings could be injurious. Malaria, as described by scholars and researchers is a mosquito borne disease transmitted by female anopheles mosquitoes. It is life-threatening, but preventable and treatable.
According to researchers, statistics shows that about 40% of the World population is at risk of malaria infection. The data equally reveals that most cases of deaths caused by malaria are in sub Saharan Africa, although Latin America, the Middle East and some parts of Europe are also affected.
Malaria being one of the major public health problems in Nigeria and other African countries accounts for an estimation of about one hundred million cases with over three hundred thousand deaths per a year. Malaria prevention in Africa merits particular attention as the world strives towards a better life for everyone and it has been estimated that long lasting insecticide treated nets represent a practical and effective means of malaria prevention in Africa.
In other to come to terms with the realities of this dreaded disease, a recent survey of patients undergoing treatment in some hospitals in Plateau State has demonstrated that effective Health education are vital tool for exploring avenues for the eradication of malaria through the use of long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets and adopting personal hygiene through environmental sanitation are sure ways of eradicating the scorch of mosquitoes.
In Plateau State, the recent launch and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets was preceded by separate visits to the State Ministry of Information and Communication as well as that of Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency, where the implementing partners including; the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Health Supply Chain, Breakthrough Action Nigeria and Society for Family Health advocated for robust collaborations with Plateau State Government to ensure effective awareness and appropriate disposal of waste that would be generated during the exercise.
The advocacy, leader of the donors, Doctor Adeoye Olushola of Break through action, revealed that the organization has distributed over 200 million treated nets in Nigeria which translates into these tons of waste being generated across the country. Statistics equally shows that the recent exercise is the third day of the intervention in that direction where a whole lot of waste has been generated too.
It will be recalled that over 2.9 million Insecticide treated mosquito nets are expected to be distributed to over 1,080 distribution points across the 325 wards across the State. Plateau State is said to be the first state in the country to implement recycling activity using the waste from the nets distribution.
“The Time Is Now”, an initiative under the watch of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the executive Governor of Plateau state, has done tremendously well in the evacuation of refuse which is a commendable effort by not only the stakeholders in the state but also international partners who are desirous of partnering with the state to recycle the waste from the nets and refuse to other useful materials.
It could be recalled that Plateau State has purchased land in Jos South Local Government Area for dumping of refuse. The idea of recycling waste could not have come at a better time than now considering the enormity of the health challenge affecting the country. It is projected that if implemented, it will put the state into a new economic chapter. The nets launch and distribution is directed towards women who are solely responsible for ensuring prompt care and maintenance of the nets.
The wife of the Governor, her excellency, Helen Mutfwang was decorated as the net advocate alongside the wives of the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen. This recognition underscores the role of women in advocacy. It is imperative that Federal, State and the Local Government levels including the donor agencies must be applauded for taking bold steps in that direction.
Beneficiaries of this gesture are expected to ensure the nets are properly hanged and slept under it every night to eradicate mosquitoes and eliminate malaria from the state. Researchers in the Health sector and manufacturers should intensify efforts at arriving at drugs that would treat malaria effectively to ensure a healthy society.
The University of Jos under the leadership of Professor Tanko Ishaya, has also been commended for ensuring sustainability of the environmental Health workers, both the mainstream and casual. The contracted cleaners Unit under Health Services Clinic of the institution’s Africa Centre of Excellence on Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD) are responsible for cleaning the University’s environment.
