A Medical Expert has also called on the people of Nigeria to embrace tests before treatment, as done in other parts of the world, to reduce the rising cases of health issues and unnecessary use of drugs.
The Director, Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (CTRMNTD), Prof. Wellington Oyibo, made the call during a virtual meeting with members of the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in Lagos.
Oyibo, who described diseases as a problem deeply rooted in poverty and linked to poor sanitation, lack of access to quality healthcare and clean water, as well as a dirty environment, stressed the need for a unified national response to tackle malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
Professor Oyibo expressed dismay that Nigeria has continued to depend on imported malaria control commodities, with its large population, and despite having what it takes to manufacture local alternatives such as insecticide-treated nets, diagnostic tools, and medicines, noting that, “local production will not only enhance accessibility but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth”.
He challenged the belief that malaria can be treated without diagnosis, warning that indiscriminate treatment is not only ineffective but also dangerous.
“Malaria is no longer evenly spread across Nigeria, and treating all fevers as malaria wastes resources and increases the risk of drug resistance”. Oyibo stated
Explaining in detail the unique multidisciplinary approach of CTRMNTD, which brings together science, humanities, environmental engineering, health economics, and literature in addressing the several issues of malaria and NTDs, he stated that combating the diseases requires innovation, accurate information, and strong community participation.
One of the priorities at the Centre, according to him, is to employ new tools and knowledge to encourage community uptake of effective health interventions, such as testing before treatment and consistent use of preventive measures like mosquito nets.”Malaria is no longer evenly spread across Nigeria, and treating all fevers as malaria wastes resources and increases the risk of drug resistance”
Oyibo stressed that meaningful impact can only be achieved when 90 per cent of the population consistently adopts preventive and diagnostic practices, adding that partial adoption rates of 40 to 60 per cent are insufficient to reduce disease burden.
He expressed dismay over the slow adoption of rapid diagnostic testing (RDTs) within the health system, despite its accuracy and importance to prevent unnecessary use of antimalarial drugs.
“In Lagos, where malaria incidence has declined significantly, RDTs can make a major difference in treatment accuracy and drug stewardship”
Highlighting the disproportionate impact of NTDs on women, particularly female genital schistosomiasis, which remains underreported and contributes to reproductive health issues such as infertility and stillbirths, he described it as a grave injustice that women and girls are exposed to such infections through routine activities like farming and swimming in infested water, not as a result of poor personal choices but due to environmental and systemic neglect.
Calling for an inclusive, community-driven research, the Oyibo urged public members to take personal responsibility and ask themselves, “What can I do?” and not government intervention.
He explained that CTRMNTD is conducting a comparative study between microscopy and RDTs, focusing on the behaviours of healthcare providers and the preferences of patients when choosing between diagnostic testing and presumptive treatment.
Oyibo stressed the importance of mass mobilisation, public education, and multi-sectoral partnerships involving the health sector, media, agriculture, and local communities, and advocated community ownership of disease control efforts, especially in rural areas where poor infrastructure and agricultural activities increase vulnerability to malaria.
He urged everyone to serve as agents of change in their communities, noting that with personal responsibility, collective commitment, and local action, malaria will not only be controlled, it will be eradicated from Africa.