Helen Akenyin
9 November 2009
Executive Director of Nigerian Inter-Faith Ation Assocation (NIFAA), Bishop Sunday Onuoha has said the fight against malaria menance was a holy obligation and a noble service to humanity.
He said this recently at a seminar organised by National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and NIFAA in Kano State.
Onuoha said in Nigeria, the need to address the scourge very urgently can not be over stressed as it causes more illnesses and deaths in the country than any other disease, thereby hampering the socio-economic well-being and development of the citizens.
"It is estimated that 56 million occurrences of malaria are expected in Nigerian children that are under 5 years of age per annum. The country which has an unpleasant record of having one of the highest mortality rates in the world has malaria contributing 11 per cent of such cases. On average, a child in Nigeria will have two malaria episodes a year.
"Furthermore, malaria accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits; 30 per cent hospitalisations; 25 per cent of deaths in children under one year old and 11% of maternal deaths, leading to heavy burden on communities, workforce and health system," he said.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, in his goodwill message commended the initiative of the one-day seminar, saying the effort is relevant and praiseworthy at this moment, considering the severity of the malaria scourge on children and adults.
"We are pleased to note the Federal government has placed emphasis on the fight against malaria scourge just as it did on other deadly diseases such as polio. We call on the state and local governments, organisations and the entire community to give all the necessary cooperation and support for the attainment of the aims and objectives of this noble effort," he said.
Bayero expressed the confidence that NIFAA as a worthy organisation would ensure religious cooperation, collaboration and harmony essential for the attainment of sustainable societal development.
The seminar was attended by faith leaders of both Muslims and Christians in the state.
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