ASABA/Nigeria: National Chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Dr Kingsley Amibor has called for concerted efforts by all critical stakeholders in eradicating malaria in the country.
Dr Amibor who stated this in Asaba while commenting on this year’s World Malaria Day which is celebrated 25th April every year disclosed that the Association is organizing a sensitization programme in Lagos on the scourge and treatment of malaria and the way out of the challenge.
”We want to celebrate this year’s World Malaria Day which has as its theme, ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me’. Every year, World Health Organisation(WHO) does create awareness about the scourge of malaria and the need to eradicate it. And we as an association are keying in to draw attention to the scourge of the disease. We are also going on extra mile to have a sub theme on the Continued Relevance of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTS) for the treatment of malaria….That is the WHO recommended standard treatment for malaria in Africa,” Dr Amibor said.
He stated further,” We want to draw attention to the use of the drugs. We have been receiving reports that some people when they take these drugs, within a short time, the symptoms will elapse, and later come back, and will start all over again treating malaria. It is a problem, and that is why we have come to draw attention to this challenge that is being encountered in the treatment of malaria.
We are going to have a keynote address on the theme’ Zero Malaria Starts With Me’. Also, we’ll have a lecturer, a pharmacist that will be speaking to us on the sub theme: the Continued Relevance of the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTS) in the treatment of malaria. Some other experts will also be sharing their experiences.”
While expressing concern over the prevalence of malaria in the country, Dr Amibor said it would still take a long time for malaria to be eradicated especially in areas with bushes and stagnant water.
”Ending malaria in Africa is going to be a challenge. Mosquitoes that spread malaria thrive in water-logged environment which is prevalent in the continent. In rainy season, they thrive most. Most of our drainages, gutters are water-logged. Stagnant water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. And bushes are all over the places which also serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes. That is a challenge. Though, if you look at the policies of government in treatment of malaria, they are making efforts. A lot of rollback malaria programme. But then, it is not enough,” AHAPN National Chairman revealed.
He solicited media collaboration in area of regular health sensitization especially in nooks and cranny of the society to reduce the spread of diseases.
Dr Amibor clarified that the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (National) is a technical arm of the Pharmaceautical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
