Malaria
By Abiodun Lawal
Laboratory technicians in Ogun have been skilled on improved malaria and tuberculosis analysis to reinforce testing accuracy and guarantee acceptable therapy of sufferers throughout the state.
Prof. Wellington Oyibo, Consultant Medical Pathologist, on the coaching in Abeokuta on Thursday, mentioned the initiative was aimed toward strengthening laboratory capability for efficient analysis and monitoring of malaria and tuberculosis.
He mentioned the programme was being applied by way of the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with assist from the Global Fund and different companions.
Oyibo, Director, Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Malaria and Medical Tropical Diseases, described the initiative as the primary large-scale built-in malaria and tuberculosis microscopy coaching programme.
He famous that the programme was designed to enhance diagnostic capability throughout chosen states.
According to him, the programme adopted a sensible coaching method to make sure that members purchase the required expertise to carry out laboratory investigations successfully.
He added that one other goal was to familiarise members with finest practices in efficient case administration and laboratory analysis of malaria and tuberculosis.
Oyibo mentioned the choice course of concerned in depth consultations, including that collaborating states have been anticipated to coach a minimum of 40 laboratory personnel, relying on their capability and out there time.
“The overall goal is to build a critical mass of laboratory personnel capable of detecting and confirming malaria and tuberculosis through microscopy.
“While malaria diagnosis involves both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests, tuberculosis microscopy is primarily required for monitoring patients after initial diagnosis.
“It is important to equip laboratory officers with the knowledge and skills required to identify relevant laboratory indicators, assess treatment outcomes and ensure accurate reporting,” he mentioned.
Oyibo mentioned 9 states had been chosen to take part within the programme, describing their choice as a chance to strengthen laboratory companies and enhance illness administration.
Oyibo mentioned Nigeria had recorded vital progress in malaria management, with nationwide malaria prevalence declining from 42 per cent in 2010 to fifteen per cent in 2025.
He added that Ogun had additionally recorded a major discount in malaria prevalence, from 26 per cent to about seven per cent.
According to him, the discount recorded nationally and in some states shouldn’t result in complacency, as malaria stays an essential public well being problem.
Oyibo harassed that healthcare suppliers should not assume that each affected person presenting with fever has malaria with out conducting acceptable diagnostic checks.
Speaking on the sidelines of the occasion, Dr Olayinka Obafemi-Moses, College Secretary, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, described the programme as a major contribution to bettering healthcare supply in Nigeria.
He defined that the initiative would discourage presumptive malaria therapy, whereby sufferers assumed that signs corresponding to complications have been brought on by malaria with out correct laboratory investigation.
According to him, correct analysis by way of microscopy and correct examination of samples would allow medical practitioners to determine the precise causes of sicknesses and prescribe acceptable medicines.
Also talking, Dr Simon Ijezie from National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) harassed the necessity to strengthen laboratory analysis, noting that the decline in malaria prevalence meant that not each fever needs to be attributed to malaria.
According to him, correct analysis was important to make sure that sufferers with non-malaria-related fevers acquired acceptable therapy somewhat than being unnecessarily handled for malaria.
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
