Kaduna tackles malaria epidemic with free drugs, nets and fumigation, appeals for blood donation

Measures to contain the malaria epidemic in parts of Kaduna State have been announced. Top of these steps is the extension of free antimalarial medication to everybody requiring treatment in a public hospital. The government has also launched an appeal for blood donation, and is expanding the distribution of mosquito nets.


Speaking with officials and patients during a visit to the Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital, the state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai expressed his sympathy to individuals and families that have been affected by the malaria outbreak.

The governor said the state is treating the issue as an emergency, and will therefore extend free treatment beyond children under five, pregnant women and the elderly. Hospital officials disclosed that a lot of the affected children were also anaemic. The governor therefore appealed to the public to support the malaria containment effort by donating blood.

Dr. Paul Dogo, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, described the scale of the challenge. “Up to 1000 cases arereported at various government hospitals daily, but Yusuf Danstoho Hospital has the highest number of cases. For example, between Friday and Sunday, 2500 patients reported to Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital. Children constitute 1500 of these malaria patients.

“Last week, we distributed drugs in all government hospitals for free treatment of women and children. But the governor has directed us to procure more drugs to treat all patients, including adults in all public hospitals.

“We are also collecting blood samples for screening to ascertain if it is only malaria or if there issome other disease we are dealing with. And whatever we find, we will take appropriate measures to handle the situation”.

Dr.Dogo explained that other steps are being taken to tackle the epidemic, including expanding the distribution of mosquito nets. “I am appealing to our people to please use the free treated mosquito nets we are distributing to reduce exposure to malaria. We should also clean our environments and clear all gutters where mosquitoes breed”.

The commissioner said that citizens should promptly report any symptoms of fever they or any member of their family or community may experience.

The malaria epidemic is affecting densely populated parts of some of the urban centres of the state. As efforts to tackle the disease through medication continue, the state will complement the preventive side with a programme of fumigation to destroy the mosquitos that are fuelling the disease.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan

Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity)
11th October, 2016