ICMS, Inc Reports
By Tom Okure, Ph.D.
Malaria caused by mosquitoes is a major health problem in Africa.
Nigeria is alleged to have the highest incidence
of malaria related illness globally, representing approximately a quarter of
all reported cases. The Global Fund, World Health Organization (WHO) paid for
mosquito nets which have been treated with insecticide to keep Nigerian citizens
safe from harmful insects, especially mosquitoes.
In Nigeria’s Kano State, WHO is playing a major role in assisting
in the distribution of 8.4 million specially treated mosquito nets to every
household in 44 local government areas (LGAs). The Secretary to the Kano State Government,
Alhaji Usman Alhaji, applauded the Federal Ministry of Health, the Global Fund,
World Health Organization (WHO), Catholic Relief Services and other development
partners for helping the state in its campaign to eradicate malaria.
WHO‘s role in the Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (or
LLINs) campaign involves performing quality control, in-process monitoring and
deployment of monitors to evaluate how people are utilizing the treated mosquito
nets and properly maintaining them.
The use of LLINs is expected to effectively reduce the incidence
of malaria illness. Health data from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey in 2018
shows a progressive decline in the burden of malaria estimated at about 42% in
2010 down to 23% in 2018. The incidence
in Kano State is 32.4%, still above the national average.
