The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment to combat the spread of malaria.
He said this in a statement marking this year’s World Malaria Day, themed: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.
According to him, the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, occurring mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, and remaining a major global challenge.
He explained that while malaria was primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the prevalence and severity of the disease could be significantly reduced through preventive measures, anchored on a clean environment, as one of the most effective strategies.