Hassan A. Karofi
2 November 2008
interview
Dr Dayyabu Muhammed is the Director Primary Health Service in Kano State Ministry of Health. He spoke on the increasing incidence of malaria in the state which, he said government is working seriously to combat.
How have you been handling the incidences of increased malaria in Kano?
We are doing a lot to control malaria in the state through several efforts that includes currently partnering with the World Bank and the federal ministry of health to tackle the problem. We have received about $17m to control malaria, and we have also received several other donations from other organizations, all towards combating the malaria scourge. As at now, the state government has distributed over 600.000 mosquito treated nets free of charge to the people. There has also been the distribution of 603,000 doses of new effective malaria drugs to the various clinics in the state, as well as free treatment of pregnant women so as to prevent them and their unborn children from malaria.
As we all know malaria in pregnancy is horrible and can lead to devastation among pregnant women, and it is due to this that the state government has re-introduced a special malaria centre in some places, including Sheikh Jidda Hospital. Right now we are working to sensitize people on how to protect themselves and their children from malaria parasite that is why we have given sensitization adequate attention. We realized that behavior change remains the most effective way to combat the menace. In the next few weeks, we are launching an indoor residual spray campaigns that is aimed at attacking mosquitoes in their abodes so that we could kill them even before they strike.
How many deaths were recorded in the last few months as regards incidences of malaria?
We have no information about several deaths but I know there is increase in cases of malaria in recent time and from what we have seen, and due to the large mass land of the state, information is difficult to be dispersed. However, we realized that environmental degradation has largely been responsible for the increase in incidences, as people fail to keep their environment clean and this leads to increased number of mosquitoes. Another major problem is the failure of pregnant women to visit clinics and this had affected the number of people infected daily.
But what was the number of casualties recorded during the period?
I do not have the number, but I can tell you that between January to August, 2008 of which I have the data, we have recorded over 394.862 excluding adults, men and non pregnant women with malaria patients, while we have also recorded pregnant cases to the tune of 74.061 malaria cases. Among this figure are children under 5 years, 246.740 while severe malaria which could lead to death amounts to about 100.000. Although I know there are some deaths, but I have not got that information yet.
Why do you think that malaria cases are on the increase in the state despite the measures taken?
The problem is not peculiar to us or even the country, this is a problem that is on the increase in tropical areas, and as you know it is the number one infection that causes lots of deaths, abandonment of schools and so on and so forth. And additionally, the resistance of the malaria parasite to the usual medications in use has also compounded the problem and despite this fact, people still continue to rely on chloroquine which is no more effective in dealing with malaria. We also find out that because the new drugs introduced which are more effective, are more expensive and access to it is becoming a problem. We have come to realize that the major issue has been behavior of the people towards their environment as well as towards using proper medication and early detection of the disease in the first place. You will also agree with me that the way and manner we keep our environment is a serious cause for concern and this gives room for mosquito breeding and probably increase in diseases. And unless we are able to reach a level where people have access to both drugs and are able to change their behavior towards prevention, then we will continue to have this problem.
One major factor again that has led to increase in incidences currently is the fact that the rainy season has just ended, and there are still stagnant water bodies which breeds lots of mosquitoes and Kano is a place that has several of dumping places that are also ready fertilization areas, these are some of the reasons why we are experiencing increase in malaria. I want to however, say that the present administration is taking adequate measures to reduce and protect people from the scourge of malaria through some of the various steps I have mentioned. For your information, we have over 800 health centres which have been adequately equipped to manage malaria disease anywhere in the state. We have also trained malaria focal persons in the 44 local governments, established medical fields in all hospitals in the state and have trained several other personnel to ensure malaria is seriously looked into and its impact reduced.
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