The "African Giant"
Research shows the top causes of death in Nigeria to be malaria with over 1.5 million cases yearly, lower respiratory disorders, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea diseases, road injuries, protein energy malnutrition, cancer, meningitis amidst others, after all one thing must kill a man.
As at 13th February 2020, the epidemic that was trolling the nation was lassa fever as the number of "suspected" cases hiked from 700 to 1,708 cases. As at December 4th, 2019 a whooping 95,000 people died of malaria which has a cure. It is estimated that 50% of the Nigerian adult population will have at least one episode of malaria yearly and children under five will have about three attacks per annum.
While coronavirus is a worldwide pandemonium, malaria, HIV/AIDS, lassa fever and ebola have become African giants as each epidemic takes front line in at least one African country. Locally, death by malaria is said to be as a result of poverty or sheer ignorance. Although we cannot rule out the fact that self medication is also one of the leading causes of death by malaria in Nigeria, it is appalling the rate at which this menace is overlooked or underrated by "so-called leaders and professionals".
What do you know about malaria? In basic school we were told that it was caused by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito, futhermore, as a science student in the university we were taught of different parasites that cause malaria ranging from plasmodium malariae to plasmodium falciparum which is the most common in Africa. Symptoms occur 10-15 days after the infective bite of the mosquito, they include; fever, headache and chills. If not treated within 24hours malaria falciparum can progress to severe illness and ultimately death. It is however preventable and curable.
Children with severe malaria often show one or more of these symptoms severe anemia, metabolic acidosis, respiratory distress in relation to cerebral malaria. Just like most diseases sometimes some people prove asymptomatic yet infection has occured. The battle then becomes how to curb the spread of malaria and prepare those who have contracted it.
If half the time, manpower, money and expertise which has been put into the battle against the coronavirus was put into the battle against malaria and diarrhea which are curable diseases then these epidemics will, not immediately, but surely be brought to its minimum, if not curbed permanently.
While we yet applaud efforts that have been and are still being put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus cases in the country, we implore leaders and scientists alike to also fight this good fight against these diseases that yearly ravish the citizens.
If walk-in centers for sensitization, free testing and paramedic response teams can be put in place to combat this epidemic, the advantages will include job creation, specification and reduction in unknowing carriers who add to the death toll when not properly cared for. Sensitization via television and radio jingles helps reach a majority in remote areas. Approval of testing centers for vaccines and new drugs amidst others.
If medical practitioners, laboratory scientists, state and federal governments can work hand in hand, the menace of the "African giants" will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
As at 13th February 2020, the epidemic that was trolling the nation was lassa fever as the number of "suspected" cases hiked from 700 to 1,708 cases. As at December 4th, 2019 a whooping 95,000 people died of malaria which has a cure. It is estimated that 50% of the Nigerian adult population will have at least one episode of malaria yearly and children under five will have about three attacks per annum.
While coronavirus is a worldwide pandemonium, malaria, HIV/AIDS, lassa fever and ebola have become African giants as each epidemic takes front line in at least one African country. Locally, death by malaria is said to be as a result of poverty or sheer ignorance. Although we cannot rule out the fact that self medication is also one of the leading causes of death by malaria in Nigeria, it is appalling the rate at which this menace is overlooked or underrated by "so-called leaders and professionals".
What do you know about malaria? In basic school we were told that it was caused by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito, futhermore, as a science student in the university we were taught of different parasites that cause malaria ranging from plasmodium malariae to plasmodium falciparum which is the most common in Africa. Symptoms occur 10-15 days after the infective bite of the mosquito, they include; fever, headache and chills. If not treated within 24hours malaria falciparum can progress to severe illness and ultimately death. It is however preventable and curable.
Children with severe malaria often show one or more of these symptoms severe anemia, metabolic acidosis, respiratory distress in relation to cerebral malaria. Just like most diseases sometimes some people prove asymptomatic yet infection has occured. The battle then becomes how to curb the spread of malaria and prepare those who have contracted it.
If half the time, manpower, money and expertise which has been put into the battle against the coronavirus was put into the battle against malaria and diarrhea which are curable diseases then these epidemics will, not immediately, but surely be brought to its minimum, if not curbed permanently.
While we yet applaud efforts that have been and are still being put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus cases in the country, we implore leaders and scientists alike to also fight this good fight against these diseases that yearly ravish the citizens.
If walk-in centers for sensitization, free testing and paramedic response teams can be put in place to combat this epidemic, the advantages will include job creation, specification and reduction in unknowing carriers who add to the death toll when not properly cared for. Sensitization via television and radio jingles helps reach a majority in remote areas. Approval of testing centers for vaccines and new drugs amidst others.
If medical practitioners, laboratory scientists, state and federal governments can work hand in hand, the menace of the "African giants" will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
If only we valued research and development and gave very important issues, however little, the much needed attention, Nigeria and indeed Africa would've already done a lot.
ReplyDeleteDee, thank you for this very enlightening piece and for also joining thousands to make this wake up call. I pray we actually wake up.✌️
I wish I could do more than writing, I'll get there yet but for now let's all share the border line knowledge we have, after all knowledge is power when used correctly.
DeleteThese other diseases do not hit the rich as much hence the little interest in it..... How many people living in their mansions will be worried about lassa fever, malaria or meningitis, It's mostly the poorer population that suffers these things and that's why there's no urgency to mitigate them.
ReplyDeleteWhen Corona virus is eradicated, it'll be business as usual because the biggest threat to the rich has been eliminated....
Isn't this the sad reality...
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