In 2016, Nigeria reported 51 million cases of malaria and 207 deaths. Currently, Nigeria ranks the 27th position in the malaria World health rankings out of 183 countries with a high rate of 32.77 per cent. Yet the government thinks a 200 million dollar loan for mosquito net is the best option to eradicate malaria.
Globally, Nigeria accounts for 25 per cent of cases of malaria mostly caused by the poor health care system, the climate, socioeconomic development e.t.c.
In 2020, Nigeria accounted for the highest number of malaria deaths globally with a 23 per cent rate. What then is the next line of action to combat malaria in the country? It is certainly not buying mosquito nets and sharing them across 13 states.
It is no news that the state of the health care system is poor and undesirable. Even government officials receive treatment abroad due to the lack of state-of-the-art medical facilities. Top graduates from Nigerian medical schools prefer to work abroad than to work in Nigeria due to the poor working conditions. Across all arms of government, the public health system suffers greatly and it affects the public as people have to struggle to receive medical attention. The primary health centres are undesirable as some do not have the facilities and funding needed to deliver proper medical services worst of all, there are few medications available for patients. There is also the issue of corruption and bureaucracy such that if you haven’t “tipped” the front desk you would have to wait long hours, or in worst cases the person is left unattended to.
The lack of funding in the health care systems has led to all the above issues. The alternative is private hospitals, which are expensive. This has led to Nigerians resigning to self-medication or alternative medicine.
There is also the issue of some ill-mannered and unprofessional nurses and doctors in the hospital. These issues amongst others are the state of the public health sector. If we are going to combat malaria in Nigeria, the health sector has to change.
First, the government through the Ministry of Health should invest in free malaria drugs across the country. The government should ensure there are free malaria drugs, especially across all primary health centres. Malaria drugs cost between N1,700 and N2,400 and the average Nigerian lives below N1,000 daily. Many Nigerians are unable to afford food talk less of malaria tests and drugs. Hence, making Malaria tests and drugs free across all primary health centres will reduce the number of deaths significantly.
Secondly, the working conditions of healthcare workers should be improved to avoid strike occurrences. The health sector is a delicate one and just a few hours of the strike could lead to the loss of multiple lives. The government should ensure that salaries are paid on time and they are provided with good equipment and medical facilities to further ensure smooth delivery of their jobs.
In addition, the Ministry of Health should ensure proper accreditation of the medical personnel in the public health sector and also put in place measures to sift out uneducated and half-baked medical practitioners to further ensure proper health care delivery.
Lastly, Nigerians should be encouraged to practice high standards of sanitation, especially during rainy seasons. Nigeria is characterised by high temperature and heavy rain levels and these environmental factors make it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Nigerians should be advised to avoid stagnant water and clogged gutters, which contribute to the breeding of mosquitoes. The government should ensure that the health care services are brought up to a high standard as well as create awareness concerning good sanitation practices. The two hundred million dollars loan will go a long way rather than mosquito nets to eradicate malaria.
Oluwatofunmi Oladipupo-George can be reached through [email protected]
