In north-east Nigeria, bed nets help stop malaria
For Zainab Yakubu, a pregnant mother of two living in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria, each day starts with tending to her children and household chores. But worries of how to protect her family from mosquitoes that lurk at night are not far from her mind.
“I used to depend on coils to keep mosquitoes away, but they have their downsides. The odour was a problem and as soon it wore off, the mosquitoes would return with a vengeance,’’ said Zainab.
Like Yakubu, Wasila Abubakar, also a resident of Maiduguri, is terrified of mosquitoes. The mother of four burned incense close to bedtime with the windows of her room tightly shut but the smoke from the incense was acrid.
“The smoke would make us cough when we were going to sleep. We dared not open the windows because that would defeat the purpose. There is no electricity in Maiduguri, so we slept in the heat and the residual smoke of the incense.’’
Wasila Abubakar
Yakubu said her family could not afford to buy insecticide-treated mosquito nets, which, depending on the size, cost between N1,000 and N4,500 each. Before UNICEF, with the support of the United Nations Foundation, helped distribute insecticide-treated nets to mothers and other caregivers in Borno State, The nets were distributed at health facilities in camps and communities during ante natal and routine immunization sessions in Maiduguri.
Malaria takes a huge toll on the health of children, particularly conflict-affected children who may be dealing with multiple health and socio-economic challenges, including malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. In 2020 and the first six months of 2021, malaria was the most reported illness in health facilities in north-east Nigeria, especially in IDP camp clinics.
Pregnant women are among those at the highest risk of malaria, which weakens their immune system and exposes them to deadly illness, including severe anaemia and death. For pregnant women, malaria infection also increases the risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, premature delivery and child mortality.
According to Phuong T. Nguyen, UNICEF’s Chief of Maiduguri Field Office in Nigeria, the availability of more than 93,000 long lasting insecticide nets to vulnerable families in Borno has reduced cases of malaria and saved lives.
UNICEF is also supporting the Borno State Government to build the capacity of health workers to test, diagnose and treat malaria, and strengthen malaria intervention.
“Every episode of malaria increases the chances of death for pregnant women and children under five,” said Nguyen.
“It is a tragedy malaria continues to deprive children and pregnant women their right to life. UNICEF appreciates the support from our partners to get these nets to families who need them the most.”
Source: www.unicef.org
