“Malaria is preventable and curable” – Sanusi Taofeek, LASUCOM Rotaract Club President and Convener of Malaria Health Walk 2022

Annually, April 25th has been earmarked as World Malaria Day all-over the world. During this year’s celebration, members of The Rotaract Club of LASUCOM held a walk-a-thon to commemorate the day. In this interview with Sanusi Taofeek – president, Rotaract Club of LASUCOM and convener of the walk-a-thon – he shares his views about the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria.

Medical Mirror (MM) correspondent – Durodola Ayomide

MM: Kindly, introduce yourself sir.

Taofeek Sanusi: My Name Is Taofeek Sanusi, a 500 Level Medical Student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Volunteer, and President of the Rotaract Club of Lasucom for 2021/2022.

MM: Last month members of the Rotaract Club of LASUCOM held a walk-a-thon to raise awareness for malaria. Could you tell us about the walk?

Taofeek Sanusi: The walk was done in commemoration of World Malaria day 2022, which was April 25th. It was aimed at raising awareness on certain things about malaria, including the specific methods of prevention and also ways to help victims of malaria.

MM: What is malaria?

Taofeek Sanusi:  Malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes. It presents as an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites. However, it is preventable and curable.

MM: Do you think malaria can be eradicated in Nigeria?

Taofeek Sanusi:  Well, Yes. Although, I must add that we have an extremely long way to go, but it’s a possibility. Currently, there are a number of organizations dedicated to this cause, one of which is the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), another is the KickOutMalariaInitiative, launched in 2020. However, everyone has a role to play and must play their part in the advocacy. As we all know the situation of Nigeria, and how our region – being a tropic – supports breeding of these mosquitoes combined with the poor environmental practices that predispose us to this Disease.

MM: What are the factors that can predispose an individual to malaria?

Taofeek Sanusi: A whole number of factors can be named, really. Especially, in this our area, and that would be largely why malaria is endemic in our nation. One, is the availability of several mosquito breeding sites or stagnant water sites near residential areas. Another is the low percentage of people who utilize treated mosquito nets, insecticides and mosquito repellents, which would create a large opening for the mosquito activities. Also, poor sanitation of environment is a very common risk factor, as it provides a favorable environment for the mosquitoes to thrive in.

MM: Thank you for the enlightenment. Now, back to the sensitisation walk, what were the challenges you and your team faced during the walk?

Taofeek Sanusi: One major challenge was the obvious danger of walking on the road of Lagos; the possibility of being hit by moving cars, but we were able to overcome that by appointing protocol officers among ourselves to protect the rest of us from the traffic. Another major challenge was the scorching sun under-which volunteers walked in, but passion for the cause made it possible to overcome.