Abuja, August 20, 2023 – In alignment with the global commemoration of World Mosquito Day, the House of Representatives in Nigeria has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on malaria.
Honourable Amobi Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, emphasized the urgency of addressing malaria, characterizing it as a perilous threat to citizens.
World Mosquito Day, an annual event held on August 20, serves as a reminder of the imperative to combat the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. This year’s theme, “Fighting the World’s Deadliest Killer – the Mosquito,” underscores the urgency of addressing mosquito-borne illnesses.
Ogah, who represents the Isiuakwato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia state under the Labour Party, emphasized that the pervasive impact of malaria necessitates resolute efforts to eradicate the disease-carrying mosquito.
He acknowledged the complexities associated with tackling malaria and committed to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure optimal utilization of funds designated for malaria control.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that four African countries, including Nigeria, contribute to over 50% of global malaria-related deaths. Nigeria leads this unfortunate list with a staggering 31.3%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 12.6%, Tanzania with 4.1%, and Niger with 3.9%.
Ogah reiterated the urgency of directing heightened attention towards eliminating mosquitoes and eradicating malaria. He urged the government to engage key players within the healthcare sector, including non-governmental organizations, to collectively combat this pressing public health issue.
Drawing attention to what he perceived as a critical oversight, Ogah highlighted that the government should prioritize combating mosquitoes due to their direct impact on citizens’ health and wellbeing. He emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive approach and urged united efforts to combat the mosquito menace.
Furthermore, Ogah reaffirmed his committee’s unwavering commitment to combatting the proliferation of counterfeit malaria medications within the country. Addressing this issue is crucial to preventing further loss of life resulting from ineffective or harmful treatments.