April 25, (THEWILL) – Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Joseph Ngbea, has said that Benue state population is at the high risk of malaria infection.
The Commissioner, who made the disclosure in an event to mark World Malaria day in Makurdi, noted that the 2018 demographic health survey showed the malaria prevalence rate in Benue state as 13.4%, which is disturbing.
He acknowledged the efforts of Benue state in collaborating with other bodies to support 433 public health facilities and see 23 General hospitals with free malaria commodities.
The Commissioner listed such commodities to include the testing kits, malaria treatment and called on spirited groups, individuals to cooperate with the government to eliminate the scourge.
In his remarks, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr Terna Kur, who stressed the need for prevention and treatment of malaria, noted that the disease infects human beings through mosquito bite which could be preventable and curable.
On his part, the Manager of Benue State Malaria Elimination Program, Mrs Susan Abege, said from the world report on malaria, Nigeria ranked highest in numbers of malaria cases with 25% of the total global malaria records.
