Malaria day: Community pharmacists screen, treats 200 indigents in Kwara community
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) on Saturday screened about 200 people in Gbagede community, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is part of the commemoration of the World Malaria Day.
The theme of the day is entitled: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”.
Speaking on the sidelines of the community outreach, Mrs Munirat Bello the Chairperson of the ACPN stated that the day is set aside to sensitize the communities and everyone about Malaria.
“Malaria is one of the leading cause of death in pregnant women and child below the ages of five,” she said.
According to her, the people of the community were sensitized on the preventive ways of tackling Malaria.
Bello pointed out that community pharmacists have a vital role to play in the counselling, control and prevention of Malaria because it is a primary healthcare disease.
The expert advised people to sleep in Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, prevent water logged holes and keep environment clean at all times.
She pointed out that the rainy season is usually a season where mosquitoes breed more and a spike in Malaria fever occurs frequently.
Bello warned people against using anti Malaria drugs at every time they come down with fever, while emphasising that testing is key in treatment of the disease.
She also advised people to exercise caution when using alternative medicines, saying that these herbs must be evidenced-based.
The community pharmacist commended the government for the provision of Malaria vaccines for children below six months, while also appealing for more wider coverage of the vaccines across all communities.
Also speaking, Mrs Risikat Lawal, a former Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kwara Ministry of Health observed that the theme of the day: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”, is apt.
She explained that this calls for rallying cry to grasp the moment, to protect lives now and fund a malaria-free future.
She emphasised the importance of mobilizing and sensitizing people in communities about the prevention of Malaria.
Lawal commended the large turn out of people in the community who were screened and treated for Malaria free of charge.
A member of ACPN, Mr Atolagbe Daramola, who sensitized the people of the community, advised them on preventive method of controlling Malaria.
He advised that the cost of prevention is less than cost of treatment, while warning that not all fevers are Malaria.
“People assume that all fevers are Malaria. There is need for screening to clear the doubt and give room for treatment,” he said.
Earlier in his appreciation remark, the Onigbagede of Gbagede town, Oba Abdulhakeem Ishola commended the ACPN for the humanitarian services to the community.
He appealed to government to support such initiative of the association and also called for more healthcare facilities in the community to cater for the health of the people.
Some of the beneficiaries; Mr Adewumi Adeoti and Mrs Fauziya Oseni commended the association, adding that they were screened and treated free of charge for Malaria fever. (NAN)
