Rivers State Deputy Governor and Senator-Elect of the Rivers West Senatorial District Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says Rivers State ranks amongst the best 5 States in malaria control in Nigeria.
Dr. Banigo stated this in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2023 World Malaria Day on Monday 24th of April, 2023.
According to the Public Health Physician, the role of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in upgrading health facilities in the State has contributed immensely to this remarkable progress.
The Deputy Governor said there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria in 2021, which is an increase of 245 million cases in 2020, noting that the prevalence rate in Rivers State is 9% against a national prevalence of 22%.
She noted that the prevalence rate which was 11.3% in 2018 had dropped to 9% which is commendable.
Dr. Banigo said Nigeria has set the pace by being the 2nd Country after Ghana to approve the R 21 malaria vaccine which is expected to prevent malaria in children between 5 to 36 months of age.
The Deputy Governor commended the State Malaria Control Team for working assiduously to reduce the malaria burden of the State.
It would be recalled that the 25th of April has been set aside to commemorate World Malaria Day. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate and Implement”. The Slogan is Act Now.
Dr. Banigo said the State Government has played her part and it behooves on the citizens to play their part by testing before treating malaria to ensure they sleep inside insecticide treated bed nets.
All pregnant women should register in Government approved health facilities to ensure they get intermitted preventive therapy in pregnancy.
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