In a statement on Thursday, Head, Strategic Marketing and Communications, AIICO, Mr Segun Olalandu, explained that the partnership was carried out through an awareness campaign in local communities spread across Lagos, Oyo and Rivers States.  

He expained that the theme of the campaign was: “Harness Innovation to Reduce the Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives.”  

Olalandu said the objective of the campaign was to improve women’s knowledge, attitude and practice, particularly among pregnant women, nursing mothers and mothers in vulnerable communities.  

“500 women, their families and community leaders in the most endemic communities were directly engaged and were beneficiaries of the donation of long-lasting insecticidal nets.  

“The campaign was executed leveraging primary healthcare institutions in the communities,” he said.  

According yo him, in Lagos State, the public health centres at Oke-Eletu-Ikorodu Local Government Area, Bola Tinubu–Alimosho Local Government Area and Eredo–Epe Local Government Area were strategically targeted.  

“The programme, which ran concurrently, also took place in two Local Government Areas each in Oyo and Rivers states.  

“Door-to-door sensitisation campaigns were conducted within the neighbourhood of the health centres with a reach of about 4,000 people,” he said.  

Mrs Abimbola Shobanjo, Head, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at AIICO stated that the insurance company believed that a healthy country is key to achieving the sustainable development goal.  

Source: City business news

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In response to the World Malaria Day 2022, themed ‘Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives,’ HACEY Health Initiative with support from AIICO insurance is set to sensitize people through its health promotion programs to commemorate the day.

The goal of the program is to improve women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice particularly among pregnant women, nursing mothers, and mothers in vulnerable communities across Lagos, Rivers, and Oyo States in Nigeria, with the desire to increase the awareness of 500 women across the most endemic communities on malaria prevention and control methods.

Improvements in the health and treatment-seeking behaviors of women (pregnant women, nursing mothers, and mothers) in the context of malaria, as well as malaria prevention and control measures, are being sought.

The distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets is part of this effort (LLIN).

Speaking on the planned activities to mark the day, Rhoda Robinson, the executive director of HACEY, said, “It is critical to mobilize community leaders and stakeholders, health workers and service providers, nursing mothers and pregnant women in order to achieve the theme of World Malaria Day. So the program will benefit not only 500 women including pregnant and nursing mothers in Lagos, Oyo and Rivers states but also community leaders, allowing for the establishment of an influential malaria-free community.

“In Lagos State, 300 women and 30 community leaders will be reached through three primary health care centers and three local government areas. Oke-Eletu PHC is located in Ikorodu Local Government, Isolo PHC is located in Surulere Local Government, and Eredo PHC is located in Epe Local Government. The community in which these primary health care centers are located will be used for community door-to-door sensitization campaigns.”

Robinson said that in Oyo, 100 women and 20 community leaders will be reached through two primary health care centers in Ibadan LGA, Oyo state. In addition to hosting community leaders and stakeholders, nursing mothers and pregnant women, 100 Long-lasting insecticides Mosquito Nets will be distributed to over 200 households through the PHCs, which will be selected by the Oyo state coordinator (pamphlets).”

She further added that in Rivers, two primary health centers (PHCs) will reach 100 women and 20 community leaders. In addition to hosting community leaders and stakeholders, nursing mothers and pregnant women, 100 Long-lasting insecticides Mosquito Nets will be distributed to over 200 households through the PHCs, which will be selected by the Oyo state coordinator (pamphlets).

Read also: Partnerships in health financing: A reliable pathway to strengthening diagnostics in Africa

Also speaking on the need to Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives, Abimbola Shobanjo, the head of corporate responsibility and sustainability at AIICO insurance, said, “At AIICO we believe that a healthy country is key to achieving the sustainable development goal.

This is why we invest in the health of vulnerable people, especially women. Malaria can limit the ability of pregnant women and children to live to their full potential. We are implementing this project in line with our long-term strategy to support a healthy and productive country.”

The program plans to reach over 4000 people via door-to-door sensitization in the 3 states, Oyo, Lagos and Rivers. The sensitization is proposed to be held during the anti-natal meeting of pregnant women and invited nursing mothers who live in malaria density areas.

HACEY staff or coordinator in the state will give opening remarks and an overview of the project. The Health Educator of the locality will speak on the effect of malaria on women most especially pregnant and nursing mothers, beneficiaries will be sensitized on malaria prevention and treatment.

Over the years, Malaria has continued to be a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for approximately 93 percent of all malaria cases worldwide and approximately 94 percent of all malaria deaths, with Nigeria emerging as a country with the highest number of malaria cases and deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa, it bears a disproportionately large share of the global malaria disease burden.

According to estimates, 97 percent of the country’s population is at risk of contracting Malaria, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the continent’s malaria disease burden.

It is further estimated that 81,640 deaths (approximately 9 deaths per hour) and approximately 11 percent of all child deaths worldwide occur in Nigeria. A significant public health problem.

Malaria infection during pregnancy poses a serious risk to both the mother and her unborn child. Premature delivery, maternal anemia, intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of low-birth-weight infants are all possible consequences of malaria during pregnancy, putting women’s health and economic outcomes at risk. The situation has been bad even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Source: businessday Newspaper

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With sub-Saharan Africa accounting for approximately 93 percent of all malaria cases worldwide and approximately 94 percent of all malaria deaths, and Nigeria emerging as the country with the highest number of malaria cases and fatalities in Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria has continued to be a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears a disproportionately large share of the global malaria disease burden. The country’s population is estimated to be at risk of contracting Malaria, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the continent’s malaria disease burden, according to the most recent available estimates(WHO).

When you have malaria, you will have a high fever of more than 38C (100.4F), as well as chills and excessive sweating. Intense muscle pain, a headache, blurred vision, and dizziness are all common symptoms. Some patients may also experience diarrhea and vomiting as a result of the medication. Symptoms may appear within seven days of being bitten, or they may take between 10 and 15 days to manifest themselves. However, symptoms varies based on individuals.

Plasmodium, a type of parasite, is responsible for the transmission of malaria. This is a microscopic parasite that is spread by certain species of mosquitoes and causes dengue fever. Despite the fact that there are numerous types of Plasmodia parasites, only four of them are known to cause malaria in humans. Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae are among the parasites that cause malaria.

There is a fifth species that is responsible for the transmission of malaria to humans. Plasmodium knowlesi is the scientific name for this parasite. It is found throughout South East Asia and is frequently misdiagnosed as Plasmodium malariae (malaria). The infection has the potential to progress to a more serious and even life-threatening stage.

Female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are night-biting mosquitoes, are the primary vectors for the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite.

The diagnosis of malaria is made through the examination of blood samples. Under a microscope, the parasites can be seen to be present. Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Almost all of the patients make a full and complete recovery.

Anti-malarial medication is used to treat and prevent malaria in both humans and animals. The type of drug and the duration of treatment are determined by the type of malaria, the severity of the disease, and whether or not the patient is pregnant.

Malaria can sometimes become difficult to treat. Severe anaemia, cerebral malaria, malaria during pregnancy, spleen rupture, acidosis, kidney damage, multi-organ failure, and other complications are among the risks associated with the disease, among others.

Several simple precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting malaria. The first step in preventing malaria in high-risk areas is raising public awareness of the dangers of the disease. Mosquito bites can be avoided by dressing in protective clothing and applying mosquito repellent.

Anti malarial tablets may be prescribed to travelers who will be traveling to a malaria-endemic area in order to prevent them from contracting malaria. It is possible to avoid complications and death if you receive immediate diagnosis and treatment.

HACEY Health Initiative with support from AIICO insurance is committed to combating malaria. Hence, the  organization of a health promotion programs to commemorate the 2022 world malaria day.  The goal of the program is to improve women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice particularly among pregnant women, nursing mothers, and mothers in vulnerable communities across Lagos, Rivers, and Oyo States in Nigeria, with the desire to increase the awareness of 500 women across the most endemic communities on malaria prevention and control methods

To know more about HACEY fight against malaria visit www. hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

The post The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malaria Infection Among Patients appeared first on HACEY.

Malaria infection during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both mother and child. It increases a child’s vulnerability to other diseases and causes growth and development to be stunted in the short term. It is connected with a significant economic impact, including a direct loss of productive government labor or educational opportunities. An increased incidence of anaemia, spontaneous abortions, premature labor, fetal distress, congenital infections, fetal death in utero, stillbirths, and intrauterine growth restriction has been linked to malaria exposure during pregnancy.

Most often, Pregnant women stand at  higher risk of developing severe and complex malaria than other people. Despite the availability of effective therapies, malaria remains a serious public health problem, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of childhood and maternal death. This is because children have undeveloped and weaker immune systems.

Pregnant women who, because of poverty or a lack of education, do not seek antenatal care and do not have access to preventive malaria treatment may have issues when the disease progressed to an advanced stage. This may result in abortion, stillbirth, early delivery, low birth weight kids, or a high rate of mortality in pregnant women as a result of the situation.

For pregnant women in areas of stable transmission of malaria, World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a three-pronged approach to controlling and combating malaria. They include; intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), as well as prompt and effective case management of malaria.

It is critical for pregnant women to avoid malaria during their pregnancy in order to avoid serious consequences. Pregnant women are delicate, and maintaining their health is essential.

For more information regarding Maternal health visit our website, at hacey.org.

Written By:

Michael Adegboye

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The gesture which is presented under the project name “Impact Health Project”, was to reduce maternal mortality by improving the quality of real health service provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formation and improving quality of service.

The items are to help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology in the state.

The items donated include 30,000 doses of IPTp-SP (Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) and 10,000 Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, to promote the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

Others items are 275 android smartphones to Oyo State Ministry of health for improving maternal health response aside from training of 370 health workers at the primary healthcare centers across the state.

The Project Lead, HACEY Health Initiative, Kemi Omole, while speaking after a brief ceremony held in Ibadan, said the organization has “always been particular about increasing the life, livelihood of children and mothers, girls and women and this is no exception.

“So, anything at all that helps to improve the maternal health outcomes is what we always venture into and this is like an opportunity for us to do that as we have always done”, she said.

On the choice of Oyo State for the donation, Omole said, “We have had a long-standing relationship with Oyo State going back to about 13years, we have several projects that we have been implementing here and I think it also has to do with the kind of receptiveness we get here.

“The state government welcomes people and we don’t get that harsh treatment. At times you go to some states and the kind of reception you get is not good enough but Oyo state has been very receptive to us.”

The Founder and Managing Director, IPRD Solutions, Dr. Keith Hanna, said the organization is excited to be working with other stakeholders in developing and deploying impact health, stating that it is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the technical team highly experienced in developing and deploying advance digital solutions across the world.

According to him, “We developed impact health working with majorly international health care organizations, world-class researchers and many software partners. We believe it’s crucial to be close to where our software is deployed. We spent like two years listening to the needs of your state, working very closely with HACEY Health Initiative, who have been tremendous partners on the ground.”

The Co-founder, HACEY Health Initiative, Mr. Isaiah Owolabi, in his remarks, explained that the “Impact Health project is a health intervention of HACEY Health Initiative, supported by our partners: Intellectual Property and Research Development (IPRD) Solutions and Argusoft, which aims to reduce maternal health services provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formations and improving quality of service.

“The Impact Health Platform comprises mobile and web-enabled applications which am to improve coverage and quality of healthcare delivery, supervision, support, and motivation for providers, especially in hard to reach communities

“The goal of the Impact Health Project is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology.

“HACEY Health Initiative’s Impact health project has supported in the collection of health information across 21 local governments in the state, covering over 60,000 households using the Family Health Survey mobile application. We have also trained 350 health workers and officials across 95 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in implementing LGAs on the use of the Quick ANC application for the administration and capturing of IPTp-SP and malaria rapid diagnostic tests.”

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Oladipo, on his part, said the state is open to development partners in its bid to scale up the health of the residents.

Oladipo who was represented by Dr. Oyewole Lawal, said, “The support from development partners supplement what government is already doing. This government has open doors policy that fosters partnership with any agency that can support the state.

“The state cannot do it alone, and we feel that, if we have such partnership, it will improve not only healthcare service delivery but education, agriculture, and every other thing.”

He assured that the government has integrated supporting supervision, quarterly supervision across all health facilities in the o monitor their activities and see how facilities are managed.

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji, expressed appreciation of the state to the donor, stating that the support has over time helped to complement the effort of the state government in improving the healthcare service delivery of the people.

He assured that the state will make good use of the facility in a way that would encourage more investment by supporting partners and donor agencies.

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CAMA and Access Bank commenced the project with an advocacy visit to government and community leaders in the Alimosho and Ikorodu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State to familiarize the community with the project and engage them in the process.

While educating the masses on malaria, CAMA Program Director, Ochuko Keyamo-Onyige, said, “Malaria is known to be endemic in the tropics, and is transmitted all over Nigeria, where it is estimated that up to 97 per cent of the country’s population risk getting the disease. Transmission season lasts all year in Southern Nigeria, reaching its peak during the rainy season, thereby putting pregnant women and children under five with relatively lower levels of immunity at high risk.” “According to the 2020 World Malaria Report, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (27% of global malaria cases) in 2019 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (23% of global malaria deaths),” she continued.

Keyamo-Onyige further revealed that CAMA has launched the End Malaria Project as an initiative to galvanize private sector resources and capabilities for sustained support towards reducing the incidence and prevalence of malaria in the most endemic region in Africa by 2023, starting in Nigeria.

Also speaking about the program, Access Bank’s Head of Sustainability, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, said “The End Malaria Project is designed in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” She also highlighted the need for more private sector organizations to complement government efforts by investing in high-impact health interventions such as malaria and maternal health.

The health programme which took place in five communities in Lagos – the Ekoro, Omorogba, Adelabu, Omologede and Ijede communities of Alimosho and Ikorodu LGAs saw CAMA’s implementing partner HACEY Health Initiative donate 600 insecticide-treated nets, 1250 malaria rapid diagnostic tests kits and 1000 doses of IPTp-SP to 12 primary health facilities in the two local government areas, and information, education and communication materials to over 3,000 households. It also trained community mobilizers and volunteers sensitized community members in their homes, shops, markets and parks using 4000 information and education materials – information pamphlets, stickers and banners.

The Chairman of Ijede Local Council Development Area, Mrs Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, appreciated the organizers for bringing the intervention to Ikorodu and further emphasized the need for all community members to sleep under insecticide-treated nets, especially pregnant women. She also restated her commitment to ensuring that pregnant women and children under 5 have access to preventive treatment of malaria.

In Ebonyi state, advocacy visits were paid to the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board (PHC) on 4th September to engage the Ministry of Health regarding the implementation of the End Malaria Project in selected communities and the donation of essential commodities to the selected PHC.

Trained community mobilizers and volunteers were engaged in Ebonyi state to sensitize community members in their homes, shops, markets and parks using 4000 information and education materials – information pamphlets, stickers and banners. The sensitization took place across 7 communities in the local government – Iyioji, Umuobo, Ihienta, Ndiachi, Ohakpu, Mgbede, and Ishiagu communities in Ivo local government, reaching over 2000 community households directly through engagement. 500 insecticide-treated nets, 1250 malaria rapid diagnostic tests kits and 1000 doses of IPTp-SP donated to 12 selected primary health facilities in Ivo local government area.

In addition, a community malaria testing and net distribution exercise took place in the Hanwa and Zabi communities of Sanbo-Gari North LGA in Kaduna state. A total of 73 households were visited and the Zabi community which had a higher population recorded a total of 46 households while Hanwa-Rinji recorded 27 household visits. At the end of the community testing exercise, 451 people were tested including 171 pregnant women, with 281 testing positive to malaria and receiving free malaria treatment.

Executive Director of HACEY Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, expressed delight at the rate of participating pregnant women. “It is no news that maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in several low- and middle-income countries is alarming, with about 34% of global maternal deaths occurring in Nigeria, as World Health Organization (WHO) records shows that the MMR of Nigeria is 814 per 100,000 live births,” she said. “Hence, we are particularly grateful that 497 pregnant women were participants of the malaria testing in the three states.”

The End Malaria Project aims to increase the impact of these interventions in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna states, and also expand to other endemic states in Nigeria. The program, which tested 2007 people for Malaria discovered that over 31.1% of total respondents were positive for the malaria parasite. The total number of individuals reached through community engagement in the three states was 11, 000.  While a total of 3597 insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was distributed across the communities and Primary health care centres with 1997 ITNs distributed in 15 communities across 3 states and 1600 ITNs distributed across 30 Primary Health care centres in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna states.

The project hopes to reach at least 5 million Nigerians through traditional media. This goal has commenced through an appearance on radio & TV programs.

CAMA channels the collective force of the private sector to drive impactful partnerships for malaria control and elimination in Africa.

Read more about our work here. Follow us on social media.

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Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable; however, the lack of prevention and treatment in endemic areas results in millions of deaths each year.

According to the 2020 World Malaria Report, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (27% of global malaria cases) in 2019 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (23% of global malaria deaths).
Pregnant women, infants, children under five years of age, patients with HIV/AIDS, and non-immune migrants, mobile populations and travellers are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease than others.
Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) with support from HACEY Health Initiative and Access Bank, launched the End Malaria Project to galvanize private sector resources and capabilities for sustained support towards reducing the incidence and prevalence of malaria in the most endemic region in Nigeria by 2023.

The first step to the prevention and reduction of malaria transmission is by controlling the vector. Which involves sleeping under a long-lasting treated net (LLTN) to help reduces contact between mosquitoes and humans by providing both a physical barrier and an insecticidal effect. Antimalarial drugs are also effective in the prevention of malaria.

The End Malaria program was hosted in Lagos, Ebonyi and Kaduna state. In Lagos State, 384 people were tested for malaria, and 214 tested positive for the parasite. Three hundred (300) long-lasting treated nets were distributed to all beneficiaries, and positive beneficiaries were provided with antimalarial drugs.

The intervention in these communities is a stepping stone to ending malaria once and for all in Nigeria, one community at a time.

Read more about our work here and here.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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