Reporter's Notebook: Bit at Malaria Hotspots around the World

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Death of a Friend; Repeated Infectious Diseases: Our Lagos reporters share the experience of malaria as US aid causes fear of revival.

Lagos – I had the persistent doubt I had malaria – Again – even before my test results came back from the lab.

Two weeks ago, my joints started to hurt, and everyday tasks like taking a shower gasped like I had raced. During the day my mind was pounding and I threw and spin the bed, sweating from the night heat.

By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was barely able to stand. All the cells in my body hurt.

These are just symptoms. Treatment is a completely different matter.

The antimalarial drugs I was given to attack the parasites on my liver and infect my red blood cells made me feel horrible. Like being thrown into a brick wall. difficult.

Still, I was lucky – I didn't need to be hospitalized.

Two days after taking the 4-day anti-malarial medication course, I realized I couldn't even write, so I was forced to take a break from work.

I am one of the Nigerians who are making a call this week due to malaria and that's why. Parasites It is transmitted through female mosquito bites.

And that's because I live in the malaria hotspots around the world. Nigeria, the most populous in Afria, explained the surroundings 40% Of the nearly 600,000 global malaria deaths recorded in 2023, that amounts to about 200,000 lives that year and every year.

Tell us about one of those lives.

Dorcas Oke wasn't the only secondary school students and head girls boarded the forested hills of Iroko Yesha in southern Osun Province. She is also a top athlete at the school and has won several national championships.

When she trained, I cheered her on from the bystanders. She had everything for her and she was inspirational to all of us.

And when she dies of cerebral malaria – The most fatal The form of illness – 18 years old, we were upset.

It was the first time someone I knew had passed away from malaria. But it's not the last one. I know a few people who have died as adults.

Beyond the tragic untimely death of children under the age of five, the disease wreaking havoc throughout Nigerian society.

Last year I had four malaria and each time I was wiped out for a week. My husband and friends took a break from work to help me through those episodes.

It is a lot of productive time lost to preventable and curable diseases It has been eliminated At least 45 countries worldwide.

Malaria is estimated to be in Africa $12 billion Gross domestic product is lost every year, according to the Malaria Consortium, a London-based nonprofit organization committed to preventing, researching and managing malaria.

Research shows that most households spend in Nigeria 25% of income It highlights the urgent need to eradicate this tragedy in malaria treatment and prevention.

Tame illness

However, this is not easy in a country where malaria is endemic.

First, mosquito vectors are increasingly resistant to chemical and insecticide sprays and are used to kill them.

And it's there Climate change.

Rising temperature Extreme weather phenomenon Like a flood, expand the breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Nigeria has been experiencing repeated flooding since 2022, disrupting and creating water and sanitation systems. Ideal conditions Experts say about the spread of malaria.

However, the most concerning issue is the decline in funding for malaria elimination programs in recent years.

In 2023, only $4 billion was available for malaria control. Less than half Of the estimated $8.3 billion needed.

This is in front of the United States and contributes 37% of global finance For the malaria program, Reduce that foreign aid I'll leave the eradication project in January With Limbo.

Ray of hope

The vaccine offers some hope. Since 2021, the World Health Organization has approved two Malaria vaccine For public use, they are deployed in at least 17 African countries.

It's not a panacea – the jab is for children only and does not provide full protection.

However, last year, I saw a chubby crying baby and felt an explosion of hope. Initial dosage of RTS, S vaccine On TV in Cameroon.

“One day, I have one for an adult like me.”

Until then, I'm slowly sipping ginger tea, loading up vitamin supplements, boosting my recovery and thinking about how lucky I am to survive another match of malaria.

(rusing by Bukoka Adebao;