Nigeria accounts for the highest proportion of malaria burden globally with 27 per cent of cases and 30 per cent of death, 2017 World Malaria report has stated.
Malaria prevalence has increased by 2% from 56.2 million cases in 2015 to 57.3 million in 2016, the reported stated.
Though, malaria prevalence in children under five years of age has decreased by about half.
According to the report, which was quoted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that malaria cases increased globally from 211 million in 2015 to 216 million cases in 2016.
The report also stated that 60 per cent of outpatient’s visits, 30 per cent of hospitalisation, 11 per cent of malaria deaths, 10 per cent of low birth weight, 25 per cent of infant deaths, and 20 per cent of under five deaths are attributed to malaria.
A breakdown of malaria prevalence by zone shows Northwest 37 per cent; Northcentral 32 per cent; Northeast 26 per cent; Southsouth 19 per cent; Southwest 17 per cent and Southeast 14 per cent.
However, the country seemed to have recorded an improvement in malaria prevalence in under five.
According to the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS), the malaria prevalence in children under five years of age decreased from 42 per cent to 27 per cent in 2015 – a reduction of 36 per cent.
This was, however, made possible by the U.S President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which has so far released approximately $492 million from 2010 to 2017.
PMI, according to USIAD, has equally procured over 31 million bed nets, 21 million malaria diagnostic tests, over 52 million ACT treatments, and 11 million doses of drugs to prevent malaria in pregnancy.
PMI core-interventions in Nigeria include the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs); prompt testing of fever cases; appropriate treatment for malaria with first line drug and preventing malaria in pregnancy.
USIAD noted that PMI programme in the country is largely successful but it is being challenged by the unpredictable and limited resources from other donors and the Nigerian government.
Besides, the insecurity in Northeast, USAID said is rendering some populations inaccessible to service. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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