World Malaria Day: CMD, RHO Warns Against Self Medication
Abigail Ayindero-Oyenibi, Okene
World Malaria Day, which is marked 25th of April every year, was instituted by World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in 2007 to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”.
This theme serves to raise awareness of the fight against malaria for those most affected by the disease, such as pregnant women, and highlight the many challenges communities face in malaria-endemic settings, such as access to health services and the emerging threats posed by climate change.
Speaking to newsmen in Okene, Chief Medical Director of the Reference Hospital, Okene, Prof Solomon Avidime, stressed the need for people to avoid self medication and seek proper medical treatment for ailments.
Prof Avidime noted that the belief that high temperature and shivering among other symptoms are signs of malaria fever could only be ascertained through laboratory investigation before the right medication is administered.
He affirmed that when not treated properly, malaria can reoccur and even affect organs in the body as well as lead to unconsciousness in complicated cases.
The CMD maintained that the fight against malaria can only be effective when people consciously play their part by keeping the environment clean, install net screens on their doors and windows as well as sleeping under insecticidal treated nets.
Prof Avidime explained that malaria fever in children and pregnant women can lead to death and miscarriage hence the need to clear bushes and stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and spreading the malaria parasite.
He stated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt as malaria can only be prevented through sustained sensitization, conscious effort by the populace and collaboration by partners.
As part of activities to mark the World Malaria Day, the Hospital carried out sensitization on prevention of malaria and free malaria treatment.