On account of the fatality from Malaria and the need to ensure significant improvement in public health in Plateau State, the Member representing Langtang North Central State Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick has sponsored a motion at the floor of the House.

Hon. Listick’s motion is calling on the Plateau State government to direct the Plateau State Ministry of Health to ensure that all public and private facilities in the State implement the National Policy on Malaria Diagnosis and treatment.

In the motion, the Sponsor hinted that Malaria is a leading cause of death among low-income countries including Nigeria and remains a major Public Health problem worldwide. He said Malaria and its complications are controlled by preventing infection through prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.

He gave revealing statistics that Africa accounts for 91% of all malaria deaths with an estimated 57.5 million cases and 225,000 deaths per year.

“Nigeria accounts for 27% of the total African malaria burden. Within Nigeria, malaria is a major cause of illness, death, and poverty, and a significant drain on the economy and wellbeing of the nation”

“It is estimated that 50% of Nigeria’s adult population will have at least one episode of malaria each year and children under five will have 2 to 4 attacks annually” Hon. Listick posited.

Below is the motion;

NOTICE OF MOTION

_A CALL ON THE PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT TO DIRECT THE MINISITRY OF HEALTH TO ENSURE ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN PLATEAU STATE IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL POLICY ON MALARIA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT._

Malaria is a leading cause of death among low-income countries including Nigeria and remains a major Public Health problem worldwide. Malaria and its complications are controlled by preventing infection through prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.

Africa accounts for 91% of all malaria deaths with an estimated 57.5 million cases and 225,000 deaths per year. Nigeria accounts for 27% of the total African malaria burden. Within Nigeria, malaria is a major cause of illness, death, and poverty, and a significant drain on the economy and wellbeing of the nation. It is estimated that 50% of Nigeria’s adult population will have at least one episode of malaria each year and children under five will have 2 to 4 attacks annually.

Failure to conduct malaria diagnostic tests (rapid diagnostic testing and or microscopy) have led most health facilities in Plateau State to administer anti-malaria drug(s) on patients who show up with symptoms of fever.

However, it is a known fact that there are many diseases that mimic malaria symptoms like fever where blind treatment has led to increased death and poverty indices in Plateau State and the nation at large.

Now therefore, I call on this House to resolve to call on the Plateau State Government to direct the Ministry of Health and other relevant Departments and Agencies to ensure health facilities conducts rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) and or microscopy to clients with fever before prescribing anti-malaria drug(s) as first-line treatment of uncomplicated malaria.

I so move.

Daniel, Nanbol Listick
Representing Langtang North Central State Constituency

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Hon. Nanbol Listick Pushes Motion for the Implementation of the National Policy on Malaria Diagnosis & Treatment