Roll Back Malaria Project: Achievements in Ebonyi State

A total of 215,887 cases of uncomplicated malaria was recorded in Ebonyi State, Nigeria in 2009. This is however a reduction in the number of cases recorded in the 2008 report. The reduction is largely due to the intervention of the Global Fund to Fight Malaria accessed through the Yakubu Gowon Centre, the Carter Centre, and the Ebonyi State Government.

The Programme Manager of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) project in Ebonyi State, Mr Lawrence Nwankwo announced these findings in Abakaliki. According to Mr Nwankwo, the reduction was not unconnected to the successful administration of 194,130 dozes of Artemisinim-based Combination Therapy (ACT) coverage.

Mr Nwankwo further disclosed that forty-six (46) deaths caused by malaria were recorded within the year under review but emphasized that this however is not a true representation of the situation since many others may not have been reported or taken to a hospital.

Ebonyi State is taking the lead in the proper management of the fight against malaria in Nigeria. For instance, it is the first State to start an Indoor Residual Spray Programme on its own without yet receiving external support. The State has also trained 390 Role Model Mothers on early detection of malaria and treatment with ACTs.

To this end, the management of Roll Back Malaria in the State calls on Governments, Donor Agencies, Philanthropists and Humanitarians to help save this Third World Community from the scourge of malaria.

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