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A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that Nigeria accounted for 31.3 per cent of global malaria deaths recorded in 2021. Other African countries in this unenviable league that made four African nations account for over half of all malaria deaths worldwide during the period under review included the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6 per cent), United Republic of Tanzania (4.1 per cent) and Niger (3.9 per cent). Less than 29 countries accounted for 96 per cent of global malaria cases.
In its recent World Malaria Report, the global health agency stated that there were 247 million malaria cases in 2021 compared to 245 million cases in 2020. The estimated number of malaria deaths globally stood at 619,000 deaths in 2021 compared to 625,000 in 2020. The figures, WHO says, show an increase of two million cases and a decrease of six million deaths compared to the commencement of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
Unfortunately, the African region has a high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021, the region was home to about 95 per cent of all malaria cases and 96 per cent of deaths. The report further says that children under five years of age accounted for about 80 per cent of all malaria deaths in the region. However, Nigeria’s health indicator survey of 2021 revealed a slow and steady decline in malaria prevalence at national level from 42 per cent in 2010 to 27 per cent in 2015, 23 per cent in 2018, and 22 per cent in 2021.
Despite the modest achievement, the government should move towards WHO deadlines for reducing and ending the transmission of the disease globally. These include reducing malaria case incidence by at least 90 per cent by 2030, reducing malaria mortality rates by at least 90 per cent by 2030, eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030 and preventing a resurgence of malaria in all countries that are malaria-free.
Countries certified malaria-free by WHO since 2015 include Maldives (2015), Sri Lanka (2016), Kyrgyzstan (2016), Paraguay (2018), Uzbekistan (2018), Argentina (2019), Algeria (2019), China (2021) and El Salvador (2021).
According to WHO key facts, malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes. However, it is preventable and curable. Symptoms of malaria, experts say, include fever, headache and chills, which usually occur 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite. Falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.
While malaria kills, the good news is that the disease is preventable and curable. In other words, malaria is not a death sentence. It has been proven that early diagnosis and treatment of malaria can reduce the disease and prevent deaths and reduce transmission. WHO has recommended that all suspected cases of malaria should be confirmed using parasite-based diagnostic testing, through either microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test.
According to medical experts, vector control remains a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies. Vector control is also highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are two effective interventions to prevent the transmission of the disease. At the same time, preventive chemotherapies are readily available and can effectively prevent the disease.
The prospect for malaria vaccine became a reality in 2021 when the WHO approved the broad use of the RTS,S/ASOI malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission. Interestingly, the global health body says that the malaria vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria, among young children.
We decry the high malaria deaths in Nigeria and urge the government to reduce it drastically. It is sad that Nigeria is among four African countries with high malaria deaths globally. Nigerians contribute to high global malaria tax. Malaria is the major cause of hospitalisation and absenteeism from school and work.
This is perhaps the right time to rejig the national malaria elimination programme by putting more measures to reduce the transmission of the disease. We should work towards being in the league of malaria-free nations. We have the human and material resources to achieve that goal. The federal and sub-national governments must be committed to controlling the disease. Let malaria treatment be free for children, pregnant women and the aged.
The use of INTs and IRS interventions must be strengthened as well as dissemination of information about the disease. With much commitment by government and other stakeholders, Nigeria can achieve the malaria reduction and elimination goals by 2030.
