Malaria: A dreadful killer by Olajubu Micheal

Every second, a child dies of malaria and it is no more news that it increases the rate of mortality faster than the most notorious Transmitted Virus, HIV/AIDS (Human Immune` Deficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
According to the research carried out by our correspondent, it was discovered that most Nigerians pay little or no attention to their health status instead, their thought and reasoning is being engulfed by the other secondary matters, such as the acquisition of fame and wealth, employment, etc. presented to them by the country or their inability to do the right things at the right time.
With all the effort invested in the orientation on hygiene by different health institutes in Nigeria and around the world like World Health Organization (W.H.O), MAMA, etc disseminated through various media channels on daily basis, it is heart rendering to know that the whole aim and objective is like “a chase after the whirlwind”, because expected and aspired change really never occurred in the community.
Research reveals that malaria protozoa are a human pathogen since the birth Of the species. The earliest records of the malaria epidemic date back to 2700BC, in China. The disease got its name from the medieval Italian term “Malaria”, which translates to “bad air”. Throughout history, it has been referred to as “ague” and “marsh fever”.
In 1820, Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaime Caventou commercialized the isolated ‘quinine rich bark of the Cinchoma tree as a remedy for malaria infection. Even with that, the infection still claims over a million lives each year.
Malaria usually affects children under the age of 5, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems. The disease is commonly associated with poverty, unhealthy living condition and economically backward regions of the world.
The current mortality rate for malaria is on record at 2.2%. In Nigeria, malaria causes the death of an estimate 250,000 children under the age of 5 every year. It is said that children contracted with acute malaria dies within 24 hours, if prompt access to effective treatment is not prescribed.
Dr. Shola, a pediatrician in the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi State said “sixty per cent of the deaths in this hospital, especially those of children, are caused by malaria. He also said, out of 525 deaths resulting from malaria at the Specialist Hospital, 65 have been children under age 5”. Malaria is responsible for about 66 per cent of all clinic visits in Nigeria.
Cold and rigor continue to be the most classical symptoms of malaria. The condition is characterized by hemoglobinuria, retinal damage and convulsions in serious cases. Cerebral malaria is known to cause neurologic damage, retinal whitening and even death, if untreated. The infection manifests in form of hypoglycemia, an enlarged liver and enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).
30 April, 2010, “PM News Publication” reported that Commissioner for Health, ‘Dr. Jide Idris said “malaria had remained a major public health challenge in Nigeria that had been responsible for 30 per cent childhood morbidity; 25 per cent mortality among pregnant women; constitute more than 70 per cent of outpatient attendance in the public health facilities in Lagos, while about 400,000 cases of the illness were reported annually”.
Dr. Jide also said “malaria has plagued humanity since ancient times and continues to haunt over 40% of the world population. The incidence of malaria worldwide is estimated to be between 300 and 500 million clinical cases every year and about 90% of these cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa”.
Research reveals that the malaria parasite is associated with gene mutations responsible for the onslaught of sickle cell disease, thalassemia and increased production of Duffy antigens and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme.
An important part of UNICEF’s malaria prevention work is to empower families and communities through participation while improving their knowledge about how to prevent, recognize and treat malaria. Community workers try to sensitize the local population about preventing malaria through the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) or treating it with Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
The Lagos State Government says, it has concluded arrangement to distribute 4.5 million chemically treated mosquito nets to households in the state. The proposed distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN), with each household expected to have two, was part of the activities scheduled for this year’s World Malaria Day.
However, with all the programmes of various health institutes to curb the inflating rate of malaria, poverty often stops individuals and contracted victims from seeking treatment. Most can’t afford the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), even if the Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) is being given for free by some state governments and health institutes.
Malaria disease is deadly and I would implore various countries and health institutes to device means of eradicating the causes and effects of this disease for good. As a result of malaria being related to poverty and unhealthy living condition, the government should proffer solutions to poverty alleviations and implement laws that will enforce proper environmental sanitation.
According to MAMA, “No let malaria thief your pikin”, so, the struggle and fight against malaria begins with you.