The Kogi State Ministry of Health has initiated a comprehensive training program on malaria case management and data reporting for healthcare workers. The event, held in Lokoja, underscores the state government’s commitment to tackling malaria, a persistent health challenge in the region.
Representing the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Dorcas Omeneke Enehe, welcomed participants, including primary healthcare workers, doctors, logistics officers, and other stakeholders. Mrs. Enehe emphasized the need for updated skills and knowledge due to the increasing resistance of the malaria parasite to certain medications.
Strengthening Healthcare Systems
Dr. Francis Akpa, Director of Public Health, highlighted the importance of equipping health workers with an understanding of new treatment protocols and commodities. He detailed the need for healthcare providers to understand drug dynamics, including availability, treatment duration, and potential side effects, to ensure optimal patient care.
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr. Olayemi Ayo, encouraged participants to actively engage with the training and utilize follow-up materials to enhance their knowledge. Dr. Ayo reiterated the importance of the program in strengthening the healthcare system and improving health outcomes.
Grassroots Impact
Dr. Musa Muazu Omaiza, Director-General of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), emphasized the critical need to disseminate knowledge about malaria prevention at the grassroots level. He acknowledged the continued prevalence of malaria despite numerous efforts and expressed confidence in the training program’s potential to make a lasting impact.
Addressing Global and Local Malaria Burden
Dr. Ake Stephen, the state coordinator for the malaria program, provided a global perspective on the disease. He revealed that Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of deaths, primarily due to the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite through mosquito bites.
Dr. Stephen clarified that while mosquitoes are the vectors, it is the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria. He also stressed the importance of accurate data collection and reporting, ensuring that every patient’s malaria status, whether positive or negative, is meticulously recorded.
A Step Toward Health Improvement
The training program is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare delivery in Kogi State. By equipping healthcare workers with updated knowledge and skills, the initiative aims to reduce the burden of malaria, improve health outcomes, and ultimately enhance the well-being of communities across the state.
Dorothy Onoja
Public Relations Officer
Kogi State Ministry of Health
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