Dr. Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, has emphasized the importance of sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent mosquito bites and malaria, especially during the rainy season.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka, Dr. Njelita warned that the onset of rains across many parts of the country would likely lead to a surge in malaria cases due to increased mosquito breeding.
“Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes,” he explained. “I want to advise everyone to sleep under treated mosquito nets. Those who don’t have one should get it, and those who already do should use it consistently.”
Dr. Njelita noted that the rainy season often leads to water accumulation in drains and puddles, creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. “We must clear blocked drains and eliminate stagnant water around our homes to disrupt the mosquito breeding cycle,” he said.
He also highlighted the severe impact of malaria on vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women, who have lower immunity. “For pregnant women, malaria can be particularly dangerous because the parasite can invade the placenta, affecting nutrient exchange between mother and baby,” he warned.
According to him, malaria symptoms include body weakness, headache, bitter taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. He urged anyone experiencing these symptoms—especially children and pregnant women—to seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Njelita further advised pregnant women to begin antenatal care early and start taking intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) from the 16th week of pregnancy. He clarified that while food and fruits may help boost immunity, they cannot cure malaria.
“The best approach remains prevention—using treated nets and avoiding mosquito bites,” he concluded.
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