PSN Ready To Partner FG, WHO On Malaria Elimination
Chioma Umeha
As Nigeria joins the world to celebrate World
Malaria Day tomorrow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has disclosed
PSN’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government, World Health
Organisation (WHO), RBM partners and other agencies to end the scourge.
Pharm. Sam Ohuabunwa, PSN President, in a
statement to mark the day with the theme, “Zero Malaria Starts With Me,” said
the society would contribute to the global fight against malaria by empowering
the people and communities to own the programmes of total eradication.
Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by
plasmodium parasite transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female
anopheles mosquitoes. About 5 parasites species cause malaria in humans. The
greatest threat is posed by two of these species, namely, P. falciparium and P.
vivax.
According to WHO, in 2017, about 219 million
people were infected in 87 countries and an estimated 435,000 deaths. 92 per
cent of the cases were in Africa (61 per cent children) and 93 per cent of the
recorded deaths occurred in Africa.
Prevention of transmission remains the best way
for eradication of malaria through the use of LLINs (Long Lasting Insecticidal
Nets) and indoor insecticide spraying.
Where prevention fails, chemotherapy remains the
mainstay of malaria treatment. Chemotherapy could be preventive or curative.
Examples of Preventive remedies include
Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine, Amodiaquine, doxycycline, proguanil to mention but a
few, though WHO malaria treatment protocol supports the use of sulfadoxine/
Pyrimethamine, in preventive approach on pregnant mothers, after the first
trimester(3 doses) and children, on their basic immunisation days.
WHO records that more than 10 years ago, different
approaches were employed in the fight against malaria and steady advances were
recorded.
But since 2015, not much has been achieved in the
progress of the gains of the past years, thus the need for urgent action to get
the world back on track to end Malaria.
Quoting Bill Gates, the PSN boss said, “I believe
it’s not only possible to eradicate Malaria. I believe it’s necessary.
Ultimately, the cost of controlling it endlessly is not sustainable. The only
way to stop this disease is to end it forever.”
Commenting on the theme for this year’s event,
Ohuabunwa said it is in line with Gates’ pronouncement hence the need for
grassroots mobilisation of the most affected countries.
He said; “It has become absolutely necessary to
take this campaign to grassroots to create the necessary awareness needed and
to mobilise all available resources at the disposal of the people to enable
them own the move to end malaria.
“Malaria is one of the already existing problems
that global warming may have a significant impact on, and everyday living has
huge consequence on this great world challenge.”
He also said that the dwindling world economy and
recession is a healthy dose of reality fuelling the sense of urgency to let the
people own the fight against malaria.
The PSN president said, “If chemotherapy remains
the mainstay of malaria treatment then the indispensable role of the
Pharmacists can never be over emphasised.”
said that the practice of Pharmacy in Nigeria
today has left the traditional pedestrian and now integrative.
“Integrative Pharmacy performs the traditional
role of Pharmacists which is dispensing and recommending tablets and syrups, to
alternative medicines and remedies, nutriceuticals, herbal preparations and
nutrition. The Nigeria health consuming public must be empowered with choices
to drive the zero malaria mantra.
“The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria will
continue to provide the Government with information that will connect the dots
towards drugs and medicines security.
“As Bill Gate opined, sustaining malaria
programmes that are recurrent in expenditure is not practicable hence the need
to end it.”
Ohuabunwa said that there was need to encourage
the local manufacture of Anti-malaria medications to ensure availability,
quality and affordability.
He added, “There are at present, some plants and
herbs around us which have shown both anti-malaria activity and insect
repellent ability.
“Government should sponsor research through her
agencies like the NIPRID and the Pharmacy schools towards developing these
herbal remedies.
“The malaria-vaccine RTSs developed by GSK and
approved by WHO in 2015 currently undergoing evaluation in about seven African
countries for public health impact may become one of the vaccines for routine
immunisation.
“The country should begin to prepare herself to
leverage this to save our children.”
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