Nearly Half of The World Population Are At Risk of Malaria – Tanko
By Worldview Magazine
The State Coordinator, Association Of Civil Society Organization in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition, Mohammed Tanko has said that in 2020 , Nearly half of world’s population would be at risk of contracting malaria.
Tanko stated this at a Media briefing held in jalingo on Global Fund malaria Community Led monitoring project, being implemented by the Civil society Organization.
He said as part of efforts to address the challenges of Malaria in Nigeria, the Civil Society Organization had been re-engaged by catholic Relief Services CRS under the ongoing Global Fund GF Malaria Grant to continue implementing the Civil Society components, having successfully done it from 2019 to 2020.
According to him, the grant is presently being implemented in the 13 supported states of Nigeria namely; Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, kwara, Niger, Taraba Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Ogun and Delta states.
He disclosed that the project covers 8 local governments in Taraba state.
Tanko further explained that the National malaria strategy plan 2014 – 2020 presented a very determined plan to commence a transition from malaria control to malaria elimination.
The initiative deployed to fight malaria in Nigeria according to him include but not limited to provision of free long lasting insecticide nets, deployment of volunteers to Carry out interpersonal communication at the facilities and community led monitoring to ensure accountability in Malaria intervention.
He noted that despite all these efforts, it is still obvious that Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving control of the deadly disease due to certain challenges confronting malaria control.
He identified some of those challenges as increased difficulty in accessing hard to reach communities due to insecurity ravaging many parts of the country and drug resistance by the malaria parasite among many other challenges.
Mr Tanko disclosed that despite these challenges, the association had been able to record successes such as provisions of two beds and mattresses at Tudun Wada community, Nwunyo lll ward in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State among other successes
