Efforts of Taraba State Government in Combating Malaria

By Thomas Samuel

In August 2019, with support from the global funds, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), the governments of Taraba and Kaduna states embarked on a significant campaign to distribute over 7.3 million long-lasting insecticidal nets to indigenous populations across their respective local government areas. In Taraba State alone, over 5.2 million nets were distributed across 16 local government areas.

 The then governor of the state, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, hailed the campaign as a crucial step towards improving the health and well-being of the state's populace. He reaffirmed his commitment to providing an enabling environment for healthcare delivery services in Taraba State.

Similarly, in September 2022, the Minister of Health at the time, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, emphasized the importance of collective action to eliminate malaria from Taraba State. During the flagship of a seasonal malaria preventive session in Jalingo, he called upon media practitioners, traditional rulers, and community leaders to educate residents on the importance of malaria elimination. The Minister stressed the need for compliance with preventive measures such as sleeping under treated mosquito nets.

Despite these efforts, Nigeria still grapples with a significant burden of malaria. The 2021 World Malaria Day report highlighted Nigeria's slow progress towards achieving the targets set in the national malaria elimination strategy. With Nigeria accounting for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of malaria deaths, stakeholders, including the WHO, continue to advocate for intensified efforts to combat malaria in the country.

Malaria remains endemic in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children under five years old. The disease, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, claimed an estimated 691,000 lives globally in 2021, with Africa bearing the brunt of the burden. Alarmingly, children under five accounted for about 80% of malaria-related deaths in the region.

In tropical and subtropical regions like Nigeria, malaria transmission is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and altitude. Climate change exacerbates these conditions, enabling mosquitoes to thrive in new areas previously unaffected by the disease. Despite being a highland state, Taraba has not been immune to malaria, with prevalence closely linked to its geographical and topographical conditions.

A recent study published in the Scientific African Journal highlighted the prevalence of malaria in Taraba State, particularly in lowland areas such as Sardauna, Gashaka, and Kurmi. The study attributed the higher incidence of malaria in lowland areas to the inhabitants' limited use of preventive measures compared to those in highland areas.

To combat malaria effectively, Taraba State has implemented various measures, including house-to-house distribution of insecticidal nets and awareness campaigns on preventive measures. However, sustained efforts and collaboration among stakeholders are crucial to achieving the goal of malaria elimination by 2030.

In conclusion, while progress has been made in the fight against malaria in Taraba State, concerted efforts are needed to address the persistent challenges and achieve lasting success in malaria control and elimination.

Thomas Samuel is an Editor at the Taraba State Broadcasting Service and a Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University UK