News Tonight Africa

The world commemorated the Annual Malaria Day on April 25 and the attention was drawn towards the need of more commitment to control, eliminate and ultimately eradicate malaria. The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said during the celebration in Abia State at the Women Development Centre, Umuahia, that a tremendous progress has been seen in Nigeria against malaria and would continue its efforts to completely eliminate the lethal disease from the country.

Governor Theodore Orji eloquently said in his speech that the state had left no stone unturned to work out ways that can minimize the scourge and vowed that health care would remain as a matter of paramount importance for his administration.

Women Development Centre, Umuahia, witnessed all stakeholders on health, community leaders, women organization and dignitaries coming forward to celebrate the event intended for a noble cause. This occasion provided an opportunity to everyone to interact and share their experience as well figure out new ways to strengthen ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria.

Donor partners and stakeholders on malaria prevention highlighted the importance of more commitment towards eradication of the deadly disease. The State government has already come up with strategies in several thematic areas to ensure prevention from malaria through Malaria Elimination Programme.

"You can't get malaria from casual contact with someone, who's infected. It's not contagious and can't be transmitted sexually. Malaria is preventable and treatable but it can be deadly. Worldwide, malaria causes around 225 million illnesses and 781,000 deaths every year", said Dr. Stanley Odiaka.

Dr. Odiaka said that malaria threatens half the world's population and it is particularly deadly in Sub-Saharan Africa, because the climate there is mosquito-friendly and poor prevention and treatment coverage make the situation even worse. Malaria is a leading killer of children in Sub-Saharan Africa.