A non-governmental charitable organisation, Malaria Consortium, has advised residents of Nasarawa State to refrain from self-medicating for malaria.
The State Programme Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr Kassim Musa Khalid, issued the warning during a road walk held in Lafia, the state capital, to mark World Malaria Day.
The 2025 commemoration of World Malaria Day is themed “We Must End Malaria: Reinvest, Reimagine, and Reignite”, with a call for renewed commitment to malaria prevention and control.
Dr Khalid urged residents to permit their children, aged between 3 and 59 months, to receive the preventive malaria medication being distributed during the rainy season.
He underscored the dangers of self-medication, stressing that taking inappropriate drugs for undiagnosed conditions could result in serious health complications.
“If you’re feeling unwell, the first step should be to visit a hospital and undergo proper testing to determine the actual cause before taking any medication,” he advised.
Dr Khalid also called on residents to reinvigorate efforts to reduce the malaria burden by maintaining clean surroundings and always seeking professional diagnosis before starting treatment.
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Malaria Programme Manager, Hajia Izzatu Yakubu Akwe, highlighted the importance of prevention, particularly among vulnerable groups.
She noted that pregnant women are especially at risk and urged the adoption of preventive measures to protect both mothers and their unborn children.
“We must ensure our surroundings are clean and free from stagnant water, which serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes; that is the surest way forward,” she said.
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