University professor Monsuru Adeleke has said the battle against the scourge of malaria in Nigeria can only be won if the government and policy makers adopt integrated vector control strategies to combat vector-borne diseases.
Mr Adeleke, a professor specialising in public health entomology and parasitology, also said existing laws on environmental sanitation and pollution should be strengthened and strictly enforced.
He noted that “mosquitoes breed in our environment and avoiding their breeding areas solves 80 percent of the danger posed by malaria.”
Mr. Adeleke spoke on Wednesday in Osogbo while delivering the inaugural lecture of the 20th Osun State University (UNIOSUN) series, titled “Man’s Never-Ending War Against Mosquitoes and Black Flies: A Tale of Two Sacrificial Lambs in Quest for Survival.”
In his view, “Government and policy makers must adopt integrated vector control strategies to combat vector-borne diseases. The monopolistic policy that has been in place for years is not yielding satisfactory results and will give vectors a free hand to devise ways to escape the onslaught.”
Mr Adeleke called for a change of attitude in Africa, and in Nigeria in particular, which must win the war against vector-borne diseases. He said this was because many of our activities in Nigeria were unwittingly creating environments conducive to vectors.
“For example, our habit of turning ditches into dumping grounds during the rainy season blocks the flow of rivers, creating stagnant waters ideal for mosquito breeding. Let us stop the indiscriminate use of insecticides. Let us stop habits that create opportunities for vectors to reproduce and thrive,” he said.
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Also speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural lecture, UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Odunayo Adebooye, noted that the lecturer had provided insights on how we can properly and appropriately manage mosquitoes so that the scourge of malaria in our society can be reduced.
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“We need to establish a public health security mechanism through the use of health inspectors, who will go around the communities, especially rural areas. All worn-out and outdated tires need to be removed from our surroundings. These tires store water where mosquitoes breed. Public hygiene is key in this war against mosquitoes.
“The public hygiene department is instrumental in the fight against mosquitoes. I am confident that by strengthening that sector of the government’s health service delivery mechanisms, the scourge of malaria in our society will be reduced.
“Just like this inaugural speaker did, scientists need to identify what the problems are and then tackle them head on. Similarly, we can work on yellow fever, dengue, monkeypox and other diseases. Diseases should have specialists dealing with them to prevent them rather than looking for a cure,” said Mr Adebooye.