The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Rep Amobi Ogah, urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on malaria, describing it as a deadly parasite with potential to inflict woes on the citizenry.

Rep. Ogah, who represents the Isuiwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, claimed that the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was aware of the difficulties that Nigerians faced in the fight against these diseases, particularly the seemingly intractable problem of malaria control in the nation.

He states that in order to make sure that the funds granted were used for the intended purpose, the committee will collaborate with the necessary parties in the battle against malaria. He said that every effort should be made to eradicate one of the deadliest mosquito species due to the threat that malaria poses to humanity.

Ogah decried a situation where the government was not paying attention to the vector that directly interfered with its habitat and way of life, adding that it was imperative to turn attention to the eradication of mosquitoes.

He said that four African countries accounted for over half of all malaria related deaths worldwide, with Nigeria topping the list with 31.3 per cent. He added that the 10th House of Reps would ensure adequate implementation of legislations geared towards the eradication of malaria in the country.

Rep Ogah called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on malaria and allocate more resources and political will to combat the disease. He also appealed to Nigerians to take preventive measures such as sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, using repellents and clearing their surroundings of stagnant water that could breed mosquitoes.

He said that by working together, Nigerians could defeat malaria and save millions of lives from this preventable and treatable disease.