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Dr Tunji Alausa Leads Launch of National Task Team to Tackle Malaria in School-Age Children
The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) has launched the National Intermittent Preventive Treatment in School Children (IPTsc) Research and Policy Uptake Task Team (NISPRPUT).
This is aimed at addressing the overlooked burden of malaria among school-age children (SAC),
The task team, comprised of experts from various sectors, is tasked with guiding the adoption of policies based on a forthcoming pilot study.
During the inaugural meeting held yesterday, experts highlighted the alarming statistic that children aged 5-15 years, who make up 26% of Africa’s population, are disproportionately affected by malaria. Despite this, they have been largely overlooked in previous malaria control interventions.
To address this gap, the FMOH&SW’s National Malaria Elimination Programme is set to initiate a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) in September 2024.
The trial, to be conducted in Sokoto and Cross River States, will assess the protective effects of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine plus Amodiaquine (SPAQ) and Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHP) on SAC. The study is scheduled to run until December 2025.
The task team, which includes representatives from various ministries, departments, agencies, and academic institutions, will be pivotal in ensuring that the data generated from the trial informs national policy decisions.
“Malaria is a major contributor to absenteeism in schools and workplaces. By focusing on school-age children, we hope to significantly reduce the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria,” stated the state Minister of Health and Social Welfar, Dr Tunji Alausa.
He added, “I am confident that the collective wisdom, expertise, and dedication of the task team will guide the assessment of the intervention and provide the data needed to make informed decisions for the wellbeing and betterment of Nigerians.
The minister also acknowledged the support of partners, including the Ministries of Education and the World Bank, in this critical initiative and looks forward to the positive impact the study is expected to have on public health in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the FMOH&SW, I commend our partners, the Ministries of Education World Bank, for their efforts and look forward to the results of the study.”
The study will complement existing malaria prevention strategies, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy.
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