By Nahum Sule (Taraba State Correspondent)
The Civil Society Organization on Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition say Nigeria faces stiff challenge in controlling malaria and that half of the world population is at risk of contracting malaria.
The CSO coordinator, Mohammed Tanko, says in 2020, nearly half the world's population was at risk of contracting malaria. He projects that the risk may be high if not curtailed.
Tanko disclosed this at a media briefing held in Jalingo, Taraba State capital on the Global Fund malaria Community-led monitoring project implemented by the Civil Society Organizations.
Tanko said as part of the effort to address the challenges of Malaria in Nigeria, Civil Society Organizations have engaged Catholic Relief Services (CRS) under the on-going Global Fund Malaria Grant, to continue implementing the Civil Society components.
According to him, the grant is presently being implemented in the 13 supported states, namely: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Gombe, to be, Adamawa, Ogun and Delta states and covers over 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, according to him, that have been deployed to fight malaria in Nigeria are not limited to provisioning-lasting insecticide nets, deployment of volunteers to carry out inter-personal communication at the facility community- led monitoring to ensure accountability in malaria intervention.
He further stated that despite all these measures, it is no longer news that Nigeria still has a long way to go to achieve control of this deadly disease due to certain challenges confronting malaria intervention.
The organisation also highlights that some of the challenges are not limited to the difficulty in accessing hard to reach communities due to insecurity ravaging many parts of the country; drug resistance by the malaria parasite that despite these challenges the association will be able to record successes such as provisions of two beds and mattresses at the Tudun Wada community Allunyo ward of the Ibi local government area among others. NNL.
