From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Malaria is a common disease in Africa. It is caused by plasmodium parasite and transmitted by infected mosquito.
Statistics show that more 1.5 million Nigerians suffer from malaria annually. A share of this is reported in Borno State,
Unlike in previous years, the tropical disease is widespread in the state. Together with its compatriot, typhoid fever, they have accounted for loss of man-hour in workplaces, ill-health and death, killing both the young and the aged in the same haste.
Residents of Maiduguri, the state capital, likened the upsurge to an epidemic and called for concerted efforts to halt its spread. One of them claimed: “There is hardly a compound, a family or a street that is spared of the disease in the last few months.”
Daily Sun gathered that hospitals and clinics are being overwhelmed by the number of cases they treat per day. Laboratory staff in public and private facilities said they have been experiencing a hike in the number of confirmed cases of malaria and typhoid tests they conducted.
A medical lab scientist who works at Borno State Specialists Hospital, Maiduguri, said: “From samples collected especially between July and October 2022, there was a sharp increase in the number of cases of malaria and typhoid compared to the same period in the previous year.”
At a private facility, a medical lab attendant who pleaded not to be mentioned disclosed that he collected, at least, 10 samples of malaria test daily in September with almost all the samples returning positive.
Usman Ali, father of five, said all members of his household had suffered from malaria and typhoid, despite the fact that they slept under treated mosquito nets, abstained from staying outside at nights and repeatedly sprayed insecticides in their home:
“All my five children, wife, two of my relatives together with me had malaria for about four months. Two of my children were admitted in the hospital twice. I was worried at a point because everybody on my street was struck by malaria more than twice within three weeks. It was like a plague.”
Jona Musa and wife, both traders in Maiduguri. Musa said: “We spend a lot of money on medication either in the hospital or at the pharmacy. Some, like me, were even admitted for days and you can’t go to work while on admission. It is an economic loss actually.”
A diseases control officer, who doubles as Vice Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, Borno State, Mustapha Sambo, said: “There is an upsurge in malaria cases in the state in recent times. The spike can be attributed to poor government response strategy, poor sanitation and an increase in population.
“Government is not imposing law or sanctions on hygiene defaulters. Our drainages are filled and dirty. People dumb their refuse anyhow. All these uncleanness and malfeasance breed mosquitoes that infect people with malaria parasites and the bacteria that breed typhoid.
“The surge in population is occasioned by insurgency, which forced many locals to flee to the state capital. This compounded the already unimpressive sanitation situation. This has made the capital a fertile environment for the breeding of anopheles mosquitoes, the specie that transmits malaria.
“Government should be decisive on sanitation offenders. It should revive its policy on fumigation of streets, drainages and open places as was the case in the 70s.”
Dr Mohammed Ghuluze, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said: “Malaria is on the rise in the state due to poor hygiene. But there is no data to prove the disease and typhoid have become endemic.
“It is not enough to do culture test and conclude one has typhoid. So one cannot conclude there is increase in typhoid cases.” He warned against use of antibiotics for treatment without a doctor’s prescription: “Most people abuse the use of drugs.
“Government has distributed mosquito nets to the people. They should avoid staying outside in places without light especially at dusk. They should always use mosquito nets to avoid bites.”
While some residents complained about this health challenge, chemists and owners of pharmacy stores are smiling to the banks. A patent drug seller confirmed:
“It is true that people buy more anti-malaria and antibiotic drugs for about four months now. We don’t wish people sickness but the sale of medicine is our business.”