Ebonyi pledges support for rollback Malaria campaign

The Ebonyi State government has pledged support for the rollback Malaria campaign.

The state commissioner for health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike, pledged the support at a press briefing to mark this year’s World Malaria Day.

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Umezurike, who expressed dismay over poor attitude with the implementation of the use of treated mosquito net by residents, explained that malaria is still a public health with about 60 percent in the state.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chris Achi, noted that government led by Governor David Umahi would despite the challenges continue to create political will and support to the roll back malaria intervention in the state.

He said in 2020, there was a record of 526,690 uncomplicated malaria cases across the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi, adding that it was a decline when compared with the figure of 622,342 in 2019.

“In 2019 the data in the state indicated that about 622,342 confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases while in 2020 we had a record of 526,690 which shows a decline in the previous records.

“In Ebonyi state, the disease is still a public health problem where over 60 percent of hospital attendance is caused by malaria and a major cause of morbidity in pregnant women and children less than 5 years.

“Again, in the area of using the treated mosquito net, we distributed about 30,000 in 2019, and we are determined under the leadership of Governor David Umahi to create political will and support to the roll back malaria intervention,” he explained.

The rollback malaria campaign is being sponsored by USAID US President’s Malaria Incentive, Breakthrough Action, Research for Social and Behavior Change, Society for Family health.