A nurse at the Nursing Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Eleyele Branch, Ile-Ife, Oluwatosin Ogunlowo, has admonished people to eschew from self medication in treating malaria.
Ogunlowo made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Tuesday, in Ile-Ife.
She said that every year on April 25, countries and organisations all around the globe celebrate World Malaria Day with the World Health Organisation.
Theme for this year’s celebration is: “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
According to her, malaria is caused by plasmodium parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, saying the symptoms are: Nausea; headache; muscle/joint pain; abdominal pain and fever.
The Nurse explained that some people that are considerably at risk of contracting malaria are: pregnant women; people with low immunity; children under age of five and babies.
She stated further that lackadaisical attitude to malaria can affect kidney, low blood and severe cases that can lead to death.
Ogunlowo urged people to prevent malaria by sleeping under mosquito net; wearing clothes that cover the body, use of insecticides and ensuring they always made their environment clean.
“The Nigerian government and various non-governmental organisations have made significant efforts to tackle malaria, including the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and improved access to effective antimalarial drugs,” she said.
According to her, the efforts of the Nigerian government cannot be over-emphasized in tackling malaria, and appealed for more sustainable Investment in malaria control, to reduce the burden of the disease on the most vulnerable communities.
She stated further that the populace should cultivate the habit of visiting government hospitals, stressing that there’s free malaria drug at primary healthcare centres.