Human behavior contributes to challenges in fight against malaria – NMEP

As Nigeria works towards malaria elimination by 2030, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has harped on the importance of behavioural change, in order to reduce the burden of malaria and achieve the set target.

Godwin Ntadom, the National Coordinator of NMEP, made the call during an interview with journalists in Abuja at the Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria Learning and Transition event, on Wednesday, June 5.

The event themed: “Celebrating Successes, Consolidating Learning, and Transitioning for Sustainability”, highlights the achievements of Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria, USAID’s global flagship social and behavioural change project in the past seven years in health areas ranging from malaria prevention to maternal and childbirth, among others.

According to Ntadom, “human behaviour” contributes to the obstacles in the fight against malaria.

“We distribute nets, but people are not using them. Some even get sick and they don’t get treated. So we need to change attitudes and human behaviour,” he noted.

“When you get the symptoms of malaria, you should get yourself tested or treated, definitely another mosquito will not pick the parasite from you to further spread it.”