By, Mustapha Ahmed.
PROBLEM: There have been rising cases of Malaria and death in Lavun Local Government, Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Which affects mostly pregnant women, Nursing Mothers, and Infants. But recently, there has been a significant reduction in deaths and cases most especially from pregnant women and infants.
RESPONSE: What did the Health Care Department of the Local Government do to bring about this reduction in cases and Deaths? Mallam Sani Jibrin is the Focal person of the Lavun Local Government Malaria Control program. This significant reduction results from support and intervention from the community and local, State, Federal, and international organizations, through the Mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide nets. Routine distribution of insecticide-treated net to pregnant women and nursing mothers. House-to-house distribution of drugs i.e. Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention program during the Five (5) Months of the rainy season for children below the ages of 3 months and five years. Advice to people to always go for Malaria tests.
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT: When he assumed office as the Local Government Malaria Focal person, in 2019, Malaria diagnosed cases used 85%, but this has now reduced to 20%, Case Management used to be 76%, but now 15%, also, and Fatal rate i.e mortality rate used to be 136 deaths in a year, but has now dropped to 39%, low birth weight has reduced from 85 to 25 % and infant death due to Malaria has dropped from 50% to 15%.
INSIGHTS: All these successes were recorded with the provision of drugs, treated insecticide nets, and other materials from Government and Non Governmental organizations, like the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Health, Lavun Local Government primary health care department, Society for family health, Africa Leadership Malaria Alliance (ALMA). The distribution was done across all communities in Lavun and about 67 community health centers, with support from Traditional and religious leaders and other faith-based organizations, for example, the Bishop of Kutigi Anglican Diocese gave his car for use and also, and the Village Head of Egagi Community gives out his canoe to be used in hard to reach areas, were free nets and drugs are distributed to households free. Also, Lavun Community Radio allocates time for the Phone Inn audience participatory program, and free announcements to create more awareness.
*LIMITATIONS:* Bad Economic situation, lack of funds, poor road access, inadequate drugs and insecticide nets, shortage of staff in Rural Hospitals.