I was thinking last night after watching a documentary on the fight against Ebola and Coronavirus. In my thought, I began to see that there is something not right when it comes to the fight against Malaria in Africa. This post is intended to open your eyes to what has been happening in most African countries and particular Nigeria. Please let me crave your indulgence that you may not feel indifferent as an African reading this article because I am not writing it just to water down the efforts of those great African countries that are genuinely fighting so hard to win the war against malaria in their countries. The issue that I want to talk about is what I call Political Gambling towards the fight against malaria in most African countries using Nigeria as a case study. At the beginning of the year 2020, the world was hit by this great virus known as covid 19 which crippled the economy of several countries especially the European countries. There was a great battle that ensued between the world and coronavirus. We all witnessed the great efforts of brave men and women in the medical field especially those who were at the front line in this great battle for the survival of the human race.
We saw the commitment by heads of government in the whole world as they came together to fight this one enemy that threatened the core existence of humankind. Within the shortest period, a vaccine was produced and this vaccine has been given to a lot of persons around the world including Nigerians alike. If you can recall during the Ebola saga, you will also notice that the world especially the African government fought so hard to bring the virus under control but you and I can testify that the war against malaria has been on for so long especially in most African countries. It is as if there is no ending to the issue of malaria. Mind you, malaria has killed even more persons than both Ebola and Covid 19 deaths put together and yet, it is as if the war is not ending anytime soon in most African countries especially Nigeria.
Why hasn’t Malaria been defeated in Africa?
This is a question that is on the lips of an average African man or woman who understands how things work in Africa. Now, let me try as much as possible to throw a little light on the statistical rate of malaria in Africa using Nigeria as a case study. First, it is a known fact that malaria is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes which are found all around the parts of Nigeria especially in the southern region. According to the 2019 World Malaria Report, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (25% of global malaria cases) in 2018 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (24% of global malaria deaths) source. Looking at these statistics, one will understand that malaria has gotten a stronghold on Nigeria and this is even worse because it affects infants more than old people. According to the 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey, malaria prevalence among children under five years of age was 27% (source).
These statistics give me great concern because in a country where the children are at risk of death even before they learn to say their first word, what will be the outcome of the future of such a country. This is the case of Nigeria today and it is more painful because the government is virtually not seeing this issue as a pressing need that needs to be tackled with all arsenals at her disposal. The reason why the government feels indifferent is not far-fetched. Let us look at some of the reasons.
· Politics
It may sound absurd to your ear but the truth is that there has been a great political war going on when it comes to the fight against malaria. There is one prevalent thing in Nigerian politics that is glaring to everyone that cares to know and that is Nepotism. Since the independence of Nigeria and as a matter of certainty from the assumption of the seat of power by the first democratically elected president, Nepotism has become the order of the day. A president will assume office and the next thing he will do will be to surround himself with people from his region and by so doing, other regions will be finding it so hard to feel the presence and positive impact of the government. This has become the prevailing factor that fights against outright purge or a high percentage of removal of malaria in Nigeria.
Mosquitoes are known to breed more where there is steady water or pockets of water for the laying of their eggs. Now, looking at this one will understand why we have higher cases of malaria in the southern part of Nigeria than in the northern part. In connecting the effect of Nepotism in this case, the government is doing little or nothing to help fight this war because it is not affecting the North so much since the central government is controlled by the North. It won’t be a mistake for one to say that the issue of malaria in Nigeria has been highly politicized that it now looks like the war against malaria can never be won again.
· Monetary gain
It is very much disturbing to know that the influx of malaria drugs in the pharmaceutical market in Nigeria has increased and is still on the increase even as I write this article. One question I have always asked is this; why do we go for a temporary solution instead of a permanent solution in Nigeria? We cannot win the war against malaria by putting monetary gains before the negative impact of malaria. I mentioned in the statistics about the rate of infant mortality rate which shows that the children are very much at risk of being killed by malaria than the adults. This should have been the very propelling force with which the government could have fought malaria with all they have but the reverse is the case. When covid 19 came into Nigeria, there was a total lockdown of schools, businesses and even government agencies. It may interest you to know that the fight against malaria is the same thing as the fight against mosquitoes.
What do I mean by that statement? It means that if more mosquitoes can be killed in our environments, the rate of malaria will reduce drastically. Now, the pertinent question to ask is; how can mosquitoes be killed? The reason I asked this question is for you to understand that the government of Nigeria does not want a permanent solution to the issues of malaria because of the revenues they collect from drug manufacturers, sellers and even private hospitals. Going back to the above question, the only way for the government to eradicate malaria from Nigeria will be for them to make a policy that will take care of monthly, quarterly or yearly fumigation of the entire areas of the country especially those areas occupied by humans.
If the government can continue to fumigate the country with insecticides, it will make the entire country so inhabitable for mosquitoes. Take a look at the European countries and how they have been able to combat malaria headlong. You cannot say that there never existed mosquitoes in the USA and European countries but their government sort out for a permanent solution even though they may not have killed all the mosquitoes but the truth is, the rate of malaria has reduced so much that one can say that there are no mosquitoes in their country. If it was possible for the USA, UK and other countries to achieve this feat, then the government of Nigeria those not have any excuse as to why the country is still bedevilled by this enemy of the man called malaria. All that is needed is a true heart filled with love for human life.
Please stay safe. I love you all.
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Hmm i am agree with you. From my childhood i am listening about Malaria disease and it is common problem for Asian and african countries. I know i got Malaria feel month ago and i was saying this is known disease from ancient why still we couldn't able to find it's cure properly. This is misfortune that really our government not paying attention in these disease and in reality it is become common disease. But i had no idea baout Africans counties how they are fighting against it. Appricate your knowledge writing skill at least you are fighting and writing about it. By profession i am doctor soon so i love to see article about disease discussion. So keep doing well waiting for next.