Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has targeted 854,000 children and pregnant women against malaria by administering chemotherapy drugs in Borno state. The drugs’ administrations are being carried out by House to House Volunteer Teams (HVTs) in seven Local Government Areas of the state. Flagging the four-day malaria prevention exercise on Sunday in Maiduguri, the WHO, National Malaria Consultant for Northeast, Dr. Iniabasi Nglass said the administration of chemotherapy drugs against malaria are for children between that ages of three and 59 months. “Our target for 2018 seasonal malaria prevention among children is 854,000, including all pregnant women in seven councils of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, Mafa, Kala/Balge, Guzamala, Damboa and Mobbar. “To prevent malaria transmission among pregnant women, treated mosquito nets, are also being distributed during their regular antenatal visits to clinics.” Speaking on preventative measures, Dr. Ngalass said: “There are no magic wands of eradicating malaria from the affected communities. “The treated nets must be used, while sleeping inside a room or outside. This is to prevent mosquito bites that transmit malaria parasites into the body. “The affected councils’ communities must always be clean, without any empty drums, tins and used tyres, including gutters and stagnant water that breed mosquitoes.”
