Invest more funds in malaria research, MSN urges FG

Dr John Puddicombe, the President of Malaria Society of Nigeria, has advised the Federal Government to invest more funds in malaria research in order to reduce the death rate from the disease.
Puddicombe gave the advice on Wednesday in Ota at an awareness campaign to mark the World Malaria Day organised by the MSN in collaboration with Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.
The campaign had as theme: “Ready To Beat Malaria’’.
Puddicombe, who said there was  the need to sensitise the people on the importance of reducing cases of  malaria, added that death rate from the disease was still  high.
He said: “The country is still experiencing higher death rate from malaria because awareness campaign has not been taken to the grassroots.”
Puddicombe called on government at all levels to concentrate more on grassroots campaigns so as to wipe out malaria entirely in the country.
He also said NGOs and other voluntary organisations engaged in malaria research should be encouraged to complement government’‘s efforts in finding lasting solution to malaria.
Puddicombe further enjoined Nigerians to keep their environment clean and sleep under treated nets so as to reduce the rate of infection.
Also speaking, Dr Oluwagbemiga Aina, the Acting Head of Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, said that the awareness campaign was focused on educating   people that malaria kills within 48 hours if not treated.
Aina also warned Nigerians to desist from self-medication, urging them to seek medical advice before treating malaria or any other disease.
He further called on the Federal Government to increase funds being spent on malaria research.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 250 residents of Sango-Ota benefitted from free medical treatment at the forum while 220 treated nets were given out.