Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of related deaths, according to Dr. Ake Stephen, Kogi State Coordinator for the Malaria Program. Dr. Stephen revealed this during the launch of the Kogi State Malaria Case Management Training for Health Workers in Lokoja, underscoring the urgent need for targeted strategies to combat the disease.
During the program, facilitators identified the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes, as the primary cause of malaria. Dr. Stephen emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause of the disease rather than focusing solely on its transmission. Accurate data collection and patient documentation were highlighted as critical elements in managing malaria cases effectively.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Dorcas Enehe, stressed the importance of equipping health workers with updated knowledge and skills to address the parasite’s growing resistance to antimalarial drugs. The training aims to enhance healthcare delivery and reduce malaria-related fatalities in the state.
Dr. Francis Akpa, Director of Public Health, highlighted the need for health workers to familiarise themselves with new treatment protocols, medication availability, and potential side effects. This knowledge is vital for ensuring effective care and improving patient outcomes in the fight against malaria.
Chief Medical Director for the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olayemi Ayo, commended the program and urged participants to engage actively and absorb the training’s details. He assured attendees of follow-up materials to reinforce the lessons learnt and further strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
Dr. Musa Muazu Omaiza, Director-General of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, called for greater dissemination of malaria prevention knowledge at the grassroots level. Despite ongoing efforts, malaria remains a significant public health challenge in the state.
