90% of death in Africa cause by Malaria

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has reported that about 90% of death due to malaria worldwide occur in Africa, stating that Nigeria alone bears over 25% of the burden.

Consequently, the Federal Government has declared that the scourge of malaria had negatively impacted and affected the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in Nigeria, noting that malaria had remained a global public health challenge with Nigeria contributing to a quarter of malaria burden in the world.

The WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr. David Okello, stated this Tuesday at the 2011 World Malaria Day celebration.

His word:  “Close to 90% of deaths due to malaria worldwide occur in Africa; and Nigeria alone bears over 25% of this burden and thus the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day ‘achieving progress and impact’ is particularly relevant for us in Nigeria.

“Malaria impacts on virtually all the health Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, and consequently, needs to be controlled for progress to be made on achievement on the MGDs.”

Dr Okello added that malaria remained the leading cause of death in children under five years, accounting for more than 1 in 10 deaths among pregnant women in Nigeria

In his speech, the Minister of Health, Prof, Oyebuchi Chukwu, said malaria had remained a global public health challenge, with Nigeria contributing to a quarter of malaria burden in Africa.