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Collaborating to Tame the Malaria Scourge

This Day
Godwin Haruna
28th Jan. 2008

The continuing ravages of malaria in Nigeria in particular and across sub-Saharan Africa in general, has put many interested stakeholders to serious work and brain storming on how best to tame the disease. Since they have realised that it is not a fight that one single body can fight, collaboration has come handy. This is how the ongoing synergy between Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil in Nigeria and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) to reduce the malaria burden in the country, can be viewed.

In its determined bid to eradicate the scourge of malaria in Nigeria, the company is partnering with the Red Cross Society for a massive awareness campaign in some selected local government areas in Lagos State. The partners have stated that three local government areas have been selected as a pilot for the campaign programme. Among those selected are: Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Amuwo-Odofin council areas.

The awareness programme, aimed at sensitizing the populace on the dangers of the disease, its prevention and treatment, will include a Walk through some major streets as well as enlightenment sessions. According to ExxonMobil's In-Country Medical Director, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, the malaria scourge, if not checked, has a tendency to not only reduce the population but also cripple the economy.

Malaria is one of the deadly diseases confronting the health of the continent of Africa with about one million deaths recorded yearly. Statistics also show that nine out of ten of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly among young children and pregnant women.

"Everybody knows the devastating effects of malaria. Many lives are lost daily to this disease, especially children. We believe that one of the contributory factors to the spread of the disease is ignorance. Many people don't know what causes it. They don't know that they unwittingly provide the enabling environment for mosquitoes by their activities. Some don't even know how best to treat the disease. These are some of the issues we will like to address with this awareness programme", Ukpong said at a press briefing to herald the awareness campaign in Lagos.

Ukpong said the awareness programme was aimed at sensitizing the public on the dangers, prevention and treatment of the disease in some vulnerable communities in the state.

Earlier in a speech at the event, the Lagos State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Deacon Timothy Oladele, said the fight against the disease required a concerted effort in which all stakeholders must play a prominent role. While appreciating the support of Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited in funding the awareness programme, he urged other corporate bodies to partner with the organisation in order to eradicate the disease.

Oladele stated that as part of the NRCS integrated health activities, awareness programme and contribution to African response to malaria; they would scale-up the awareness creation of Roll Back Malaria in some highly vulnerable communities in Lagos State.

"Malaria is still the major cause of public health problem in Nigeria. Despite all efforts and processes undertaken to reduce the burden, it remains the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5, pregnant women and the incidence of 50 percent episode of malaria among the general population each year. Statistics from the Ministry of Health showed that malaria leads to 25 percent of infant mortality and 30 percent of childhood mortality. Malaria continues to rob the country of substantial investment, growth and development", he stated.

According to the NRCS helmsman, treatment and control of malaria is increasingly becoming more problematic as vectors acquire resistance to insecticide, while cases of drug resistance by parasites abound. He added that new lines of medication are poorly applied with obvious danger of loss of efficacy, stating that this could also cause serious complication that may lead to fatalities if not properly managed

"Our plan is to raise awareness to all stakeholders that malaria is preventable, curable and with collective efforts we can make Nigeria free from malaria burdens. Our goal is to reach out to the most vulnerable groups through information dissemination on current prevention and management of malaria", he said.

He also promised to create a healthy enabling environment for some identified vulnerable communities through integrated health awareness, and information dissemination.

According to Oladele, the objectives of programme are to align with the Federal Government's efforts to reduce malaria disease by up to 60 per cent before year 2015. They also aspire to change behaviour pattern on malaria current prevention initiative through the use of insecticide, anti-malaria drugs and insecticide treated nets (ITNs).

Furthermore, he promised to ensure that every child under 5 years and every pregnant woman sleep under insecticide treated net (ITN) and also, encourage healthy living for all community people that will lead to better productivity. Various activities, he stated, have been lined up to achieve these objectives.

According to Ukpong, as a responsible corporate citizen, ExxonMobil through its affiliates has supported the disease prevention, control and treatment programmes. It has collaborated effectively with local institutions, international NGOs, government agencies and other related bodies to fight the scourge of malaria.

Since 2000, ExxonMobil has committed over $100 million to various malaria initiatives across Africa. "We are particularly pleased to identify with Nigerian Red Cross Society on this project, as the target areas are where we have a high concentration of children and pregnant women who need to be aware of the dangers of malaria and how to protect themselves", the medical director said.

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