The President, Malaria Society of Nigeria, Dr. John Puddicombe, has called for more investment in malaria research to reduce infection rate in the country.
Puddicombe made the call at an awareness campaign to mark the 2018 World Malaria Day, jointly organised by MSN and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Ota, Ogun State.
The MSN president said there was a need for more public enlightenment on the menace of malaria because death rate from the disease remained high.
“The country is still experiencing higher death rate from malaria because awareness campaign has not been taken to the grassroots,” he said.
Puddicombe urged the Federal Government to pump more money into malaria research and create platforms for publicising research findings internationally.
He also enjoined the people to keep their environment clean and sleep under treated nets so as to reduce malaria infection.
Earlier, Acting Head of Malaria Research at NIMR, Dr. Oluwagbemiga Aina, said there was a need to educate the people that malaria could kill within 48 hours, if not treated.
Aina advised the people against self-medication, urging them to seek medical advice before treating malaria or other diseases.
Over 250 residents of Sango-Ota benefitted from free malaria treatment, while 220 insecticide treated nets were given free to the people.
