Malaria: Microbiologist Charges Stakeholders On Vaccines

Dr. Tajudeen Amuda, a microbiologist from the University of Ilorin is urging the government as well as other stakeholders to develop local and cost-effective malaria vaccines. Dr. Amuda pointed out that the complexities in the life cycle of the malaria parasite made it difficult for researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of how the human immune system responded to malaria infections. Dr. Amuda highlighted a few of the potential methods to end malaria infection in Nigeria which included “the development of an accurate point-of-care diagnostic method for the detection of malaria cases; mobilization of genomic tools for adequate sequencing and proper monitoring of identified resistant strains, as well as developing local and cost-effective vaccines”.

Read Also: World Bank Loans Nigeria $200M For Malaria Intervention

He added that a multidisciplinary approach would be needed to put an end to the scourge of malaria infection in Nigeria. According to him, “However, this problem is more compounded in Nigeria due to the lack of required financial resources and the absence of a well-equipped research lab to conduct the multidisciplinary research needed to produce an active vaccine.”

According to the microbiologist, several measures have been adopted in curtailing the widespread of Malaria in Nigeria such as the use of durable insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, the use of anti-malaria drugs such as Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies. Dr. Amuda, noted that these measures had their limitations, especially considering the ever-increasing mutation of the malaria parasite.

On the other hand, Hygeia HMO, a health insurance service provider, is also urging Nigerians and stakeholders to use everything at their disposal to end the scourge of malaria in the country. Hygeia HMO said, in its World Malaria Day statement, that Nigerians should avoid mosquitoes, saying this would help in the fight against malaria infection. Dr. Babajide Oyeduntan, the firm’s Head of Sales stated, “We believe that with the right tools, malaria can be made a thing of the past in Nigeria; and while we work towards this, we can, for now, use materials at our disposal to avoid mosquitoes and malaria.”

Read Also: World Malaria Day: HEDCODEC Provides Free Malaria Treatment For Suleja Residents

“According to the World Health Organisation, in 2020 alone, 241 million new cases of malaria were recorded globally. More than half of the 627,000 deaths recorded in 85 countries were in under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, 31.9 per cent of malaria related deaths are from Nigeria. Pandemics may come and go but Malaria has remained endemic and the deadliest infection for decades. It is because of this that the foremost health insurance company in Nigeria, Hygeia HMO, has looked inward and come out to contribute its efforts in the fight against the Malaria endemic. Our whole business is hinged on providing quality healthcare to Nigerians, including people in the grassroots, as well as providing education on ways to stay ahead of medical emergencies – including Malaria. This is why we have decided to share Malaria relief materials with the good people of Makoko Community, Lagos.”