Dr Moyosore Adejumo, Lagos State Ministry of Health Director of pharmaceutical services at the 2019 world Malaria day celebration at Bariga local government hall, Bariga, said malaria is responsible for more than 70 percent of the outpatient attendance in the state public health facilities with more than 400,000 cases reported annually.
She stated that there are more reported cases of malaria in pregnant women and children under five years and due to the vulnerable nature of these segments of the population, the infection can be very serious.
Dr Adejumo further explained that rapid urbanisation and poor drainage are some of the factors that contribute to the annual transmission of malaria. The state government also has demonstrated commitment to the control of malaria over the years.
Dr Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, chairman of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) said in order to prevent increase of malaria to death and prevent infection leading to anaemia, the World Health Organization, WHO has recommended Artemisinin-based combination therapy, ACT as the first line of treatment of malaria globally. This remains the mainstay of treatment for malaria since there are no alternatives for now. “A study involving 80 malaria infected adult patients showed that co-administration of orange juice or vitamin C concomitantly with amodiaquine severely diminish the potency of the drugs” he said
