Malaria has been a longstanding challenge in Nigeria, claiming countless lives over the decades. This disease, caused by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, predominantly affects those living in tropical climates. The country, along with other African nations like Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mali, continues to struggle with high Malaria incidence. The persistence of this disease is linked to various individual, governmental, and environmental factors. A significant contributor to the ongoing battle against malaria is the inadequate state of primary healthcare in the country.
The healthcare system’s dysfunctionality hinders access to medical services and the effective implementation of community health Education initiatives. Many challenges, including poor living conditions, lack of sustainable infrastructure, underfunding of the health sector, limited healthcare access, program inconsistency, and inadequate oversight, are putting the fight against malaria in the country behind. Political, social, and economic structures further complicate eradication efforts. Public education on malaria prevention and control must be improved, contributing to the problem across the country.
Rural Nigeria faces malaria risk due to poor infrastructure and healthcare.
About 97% of people in the country live in environments that increase their disease risk. Rural communities, in particular, lack essential Infrastructure such as clean water, electricity, proper sanitation, adequate housing, motorable roads, job opportunities, and accessible primary healthcare facilities. These deficiencies increase disease vulnerability and contribute to low living standards. Proximity to mosquito breeding grounds, like bushes, farms, and stagnant water sources, coupled with Poverty and limited healthcare access, makes timely medical care challenging. These conditions are not unique to the nation but are prevalent across many African countries, which bear 93% of the global disease burden and account for 90% of related deaths.
Improving the number of health and training of health workers within the Ward Health System in Nigeria is crucial. This system, which uses electoral wards as operational units for primary health delivery, requires qualified staff at all levels. Training should focus on health needs assessments, planning and implementing health promotion programs, advocacy, data collection, management, program evaluation, and community-building skills. Also, each ward or group of wards should have a physician to address local health needs effectively. Furthermore, a Primary Healthcare Trust Fund (PHTF) should be established to ensure sustainable funding for primary healthcare.
A trust fund protects healthcare funding and is overseen by local boards.
This fund would involve deducting a mandatory percentage of local government allocations from the Federal Government and depositing it into a safe and protected trust. This Innovation aims to shield the funds from local government chairmen and state government interference, ensuring they benefit target communities and people and address local health issues. The PHTF would be managed by a regional board comprising members from the public and private sectors, who would appoint local boards for each or a set of local government primary health systems.
Also, the regional board would oversee fund allocations, disbursements, physician hiring, drug procurement, and general oversight. Local boards would manage specific local funds, supervise health delivery systems, develop and implement illness eradication programs, hire and retain health professionals, maintain facilities, and report to the regional board. These local boards would include community leaders, health professionals, ward staff, and senior local government staff. Addressing this vector-borne disease requires immediate and dedicated attention. The Nigerian government must allocate adequate financial and human resources to support eradication programs, supplementing international efforts.
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Establishing a separate funding allocation and management system for the health sector would promote continuity and accountability and improve grassroots outreach and intervention. A functional surveillance system for the disease is also essential for collecting data on cases and monitoring progress towards eradication. Ultimately, eradicating the infection in the country demands a committed national effort. This Public Health crisis necessitates deliberate and consistent actions to follow recommended strategies and eliminate the illness, saving countless lives and alleviating associated health consequences.