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The Coordinator Of the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP), Dr ABOU Yahaya, hosted a press conference on Friday April 26, 2024 at the headquarters of his structure as part of the celebration of World Malaria Day. malaria. For the Coordinator, through this activity, it is a question of providing clarification on the National Strategy for the Fight against Malaria centered on three components, namely behavior change (hygiene and sanitation), specific interventions and the management of case management.
In his introductory remarks, the PNLP Coordinator recalled that malaria is a real health problem in Niger. “From 2017 to 2022, the number of cases has increased, despite all the interventions that are implemented. Certainly there are parameters that we can present and justify, but we think that it is a challenge to all of us, to be able to reverse the trend and achieve the objective of eliminating this disease as it is. advocated by 2030,” he announced.
From an epidemiological point of view, added the Coordinator, in 2022, more than 5 million cases have been recorded, 48% of which are children under 5 years old. “It’s a fringe that’s been hit hard. Unfortunately, out of the 5,357,153 cases, we have recorded 5,678 deaths, including 63% deaths among children aged 0 to 5 years. These figures concern us. This led us, during the development of the National Strategic Plan 2023-2026, to review certain strategies or think about strengthening certain strategies. We cannot do without malaria when the vector is circulating,” he insisted.
The PNLP Coordinator insisted on behavioral change, particularly the hygiene and sanitation aspect. “This is an important aspect. It is neither the PNLP nor the Ministry that could act on this aspect. This is a question that concerns everyone. Neighborhood leaders, local authorities, civil society, religious leaders, economic operators, entrepreneurs, each in their own right must play a role to actively participate in the fight against malaria,” specifies Dr. ABOU Yahaya. He then spoke about specific interventions such as the treatment of intermittent malaria which helps prevent malaria in pregnant women and protect the baby. There is also chemo prevention of seasonal malaria. “Each time of rain, we distribute medicines to children aged 3 to 59 months. Depending on the areas, we do 3, 4 or 5 passes. These are interspersed passages and it depends on the rainfall in the area,” he said.
For case management, the PNLP Coordinator mentioned the direct strategy of case management, which is done in all health facilities up to the community level through community relays.
The PNLP Coordinator returned to the reasons for choosing the theme of the Day. “The WHO compiles data from different countries and analyzes them. We started with the postulate or observation that from 2017 to 2022, the situation has not improved. This is why the WHO calls on us about equity. Since, if children get malaria more than adults, somewhere, we have not played fair. And when we see pregnant women, we must do everything we can to ensure that they are truly protected. The theme is therefore a questioning,” he said. Dr. ABOU Yahaya announced that means are being put in place to achieve this objective through awareness-raising actions and the involvement of all stakeholders. Regarding the malaria vaccine, the Malaria Program Coordinator reaffirmed that the process is underway. “We are on this. And soon it will start in certain localities chosen based on a certain number of criteria. We take care to wait for the opportune moment. Of course, the vaccine is part of the means of control, but the solution is hygiene and sanitation through the evacuation of stagnant water and others. The vaccine will come as a backup,” he stressed.
Farida Ibrahim Assoumane (ONEP)
: The Coordinator calls for greater involvement of stakeholders for the elimination of malaria by 2030){kind=link}