World Malaria Day:  Ogun State to increase budgetary allocation to primary health level 

Omobolaji Adekunle Abeokuta

Civil Society in Malaria Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has called on government at all levels to increase budgetary allocation to health, particularly on malaria.

ACOMIN made the call through its State Secretary, Mr Tayo Akinpelu during a briefing with journalists in Abeokuta to mark World Malaria Day for year 2022 with the theme “Advance Equity, Build Resilience, End Malaria” urged the state government, the media and other stakeholders in the health sector to increase awareness on the need for the public to imbibe malaria prevention practices as a lifestyle towards protecting the most vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of 5.

He said malaria is one of Nigeria’s most important public health concerns because of the illness and death it causes to millions of people yearly.

Adding that in Nigeria malaria recorded the highest number global cases with 27% of the global malaria death.

Also pregnant women and infected with malaria usually have more severe symptoms and outcomes with higher rates of miscarriage

While appreciating the intervention of the federal and state governments on the implementation of the basic health care provision funds, the ACOMIN State Secretary saw the need for community involvement for more impactful service delivery.

He also called on community leaders to intensify efforts in the fight to get the world closer to being malaria free.

In a remark, Mrs Sola Oyewole who represented the state Primary Health Care Development Board urged communities, families and individuals to play their own parts in the the fight against malaria, pointing out that prevention remains the key in tackling the scourge.

A Community Leader from Lafiaji/Ilupeju, Mr Muiz Bankolev appreciated the ACOMIN Team for enlightening them on how to keep malaria at bay.