04Jun
The Executive Director, Westfield Development Initiative, Mrs. Omobola Lana, has called on parents and community leaders to protect their children from mosquito bites, saying malaria contributes greatly to their poor growth and development. Lana said this on Monday during a medical mission to Orisumbare community in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state. Members of the community were tested for malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes and the human immune-deficiency virus.
According to Lana, malaria is a deadly disease affecting the health and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa. With Nigeria accounting for thousand of malaria deaths and a quarter of malaria cases in Africa, Lana said the country had yet to overcome the malaria challenge. She also urged members of the community to clear drainages and stagnant water in their environment.
“Malaria kills a child somewhere in the world every minute. In 2015, there were roughly 214 million cases of malaria and an estimated 438,000 malaria deaths. About 89 per cent of malaria cases and 91 per cent of deaths occur in Africa where the World Health Organisation says malaria accounts for one in six childhood deaths. “Our aim is to promote positive behaviour change for the prevention and treatment of malaria. The WDI’s mission have in the past two years reached over 700 people with basic medical screenings-malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV. We have also been spreading the message of malaria prevention by giving health talks and distributing long-lasting insecticide treated nets,’’ she said.
See full story here: http://punchng.com/world-malaria-day-group-takes-medical-mission-to-akowonjo/