By Juliet Jacob
The Ondo State Government has committed to further reduce the burden of malaria in the state this year.
Commissioner of Health in the state, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said in Akure that the state is happy that national data shows the burden of the disease according to National Malaria Indicator Survey, MICS, 2022 has fallen from 34% to 27%.
In a statement, Dr. Ajaka expressed concern that malaria had become a burden to some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where statistics show the disease constitutes more than 60 per cent of all medical cases presented at health facilities.
He said the state have supported preventive measures against the disease with about three million insecticide-treated nets distributed to households in the 18 local government areas of the state.
He said the reduction recorded so far in the state is traceable to commitment to the implementation of the nets distribution and other preventive measures.
According to him, “The follow up has yielded result, as evidenced by the newly-released report by National Malaria Indicator Survey, 2021, released in 2023. It shows that the prevalence of malaria in the state has fallen from 34 per cent to 27 per cent.
“The state government will continue to invest in the reduction of malaria in the state through channeling resources and funds to curbing the situation.”
He said the state has partnered and will continue to partner with with civil society organisations across the 18 LGAs to sensitise and create awareness to the citizens at the grassroots on the prevention and prevalence of malaria in the state.
