he President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, has urged Nigerians to intensify efforts to enforce environmental hygiene and sanitation.
Ashiru, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Thursday, said the vaccine would help reduce malaria-related deaths in Nigeria.
He said, “According to the WHO, malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
“In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409 000 in 2019.
“Children aged under five years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they accounted for 67 per cent (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide. So, you can see the level of death that can be prevented from Malaria vaccination.
“We need to intensify efforts through enforcing environmental hygiene sanitation, and provision of pipe-borne water. Cleanliness of our surroundings and elimination of stagnant water is critical. Our government needs to welcome the vaccine.”
