As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in marking this year’s World Malaria Day (WMD) on Thursday, an indigenous pharmaceutical company, St. Racheal’s Pharma, called on both the federal and state governments to make malaria tests and treatment free for indigent patients and children under five years old.
The company also urged the generality of Nigerians to embrace Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), which involves the intermittent administration of full courses of anti-malaria drugs during the malaria season, especially for children under five years old, to effectively minimize malaria-related ailments and deaths in the country.
These concerns were raised by the company on Thursday in a message signed by its medical adviser, Dr. Tosin Omolori, to commemorate World Malaria Day, with the theme: “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”
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According to the company, providing free malaria tests will serve as part of economic palliatives, particularly for the less privileged across the country. Regarding SMC, the company emphasized that such an approach could be made effective through knowledge sharing, sensitization, and implementation. It noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended this approach for children between three and 59 months old since 2012.
Furthermore, the company explained the importance of SMC, stating that malaria is hyperendemic with its attendant seasonal affiliation of symptoms and disease in tropical countries like Nigeria. Clinical trials have shown that SMC can prevent up to 75 percent of malaria cases in children under five years old.
Recent studies, according to St. Racheal’s Pharma, have shown that vectors of Malaria Vivax, such as Anopheles Stephensi (which is highly invasive, especially in urban communities), have proven resistance to some chemicals used in the production of insecticides, such as pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates. This highlights the need for attention and further research on new modalities to tackle the problem of malaria resistance, particularly at this time.
The company also highlighted issues related to the accuracy of malaria testing kits in some hospitals, stressing the need for the government to provide standard rapid diagnostic kits in hospitals.
However, the company promised that as a corporate entity with a mandate to promote good health in Nigeria and the African continent through the provision of accurate information, education, manufacture, distribution, and supply of quality pharmaceutical brands, it will continue to join forces to accelerate the fight against malaria in Africa.
Therefore, the Nigerian government at all levels should ensure they improve community engagement in health decision-making, bring healthcare services closer to the people, and substantially invest in primary healthcare, including malaria control systems.
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