Today is Malaria Day. This a day set aside for recognizing the global effort to provide an effective control of malaria.
The theme of this year's World Malaria Day is "Counting Malaria Out". By the end of the year 2010, it is expected that people living in malaria infested regions would have access to effective and affordable treatment for malaria.
Statistically, there are 109 countries infested with malaria today. Most of these countries are in the sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these Countries have initiated steps to roll back Malaria in the region. In Nigeria, most States distribute mosquito treated nets to people. However, only Zambia has been able to reach the Roll Back Malaria target of more than 50% reduction of mortality from malaria compared to 2000.
It is expected that other African countries would take a cue from Zambia and work towards eliminating malaria in Africa.
Malaria is indeed a killer sickness as it kills more than one million people per year. The most hit are pregnant women and children under the age of five.
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. This parasite is transmitted into a human body through the bites of mosquitoes infected by the parasite. As soon as the parasites are transmitted into the human body, it multiplies in the liver, and thereafter infect the red blood cells.
When an individual has been infected with the malaria parasite, some of the symptoms such a person will notice include headache, fever and vomiting. Once these symptoms appear, the infected individual should see a medical doctor for appropriate treatment. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines. Therefore, no one should administer any self medication.
Prevention is better than cure.
Malaria, like most ailments, can be prevented or controlled.
Some of the suggested preventive/control measures are:
1. Keeping the environment clean. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so as a preventive measure, all drainages must always be clean.
2. Use a bed net (popularly known as mosquito net) preferably the treated nets.
3. Spray apartments with insecticide at least twice a week.
4. Get proper treatment when diagnosed with malaria
Africa can be malaria free!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Baby in the House
Sometime ago, I narrated how my two kids bombarded me with all sorts of questions and of course demanded for an additional baby. Well that has finally come to past. They now have a baby sister to call their own. Yes O! I had a beautiful baby girl a couple of weeks ago. So, right now I am at home nursing my little angel!
I thank God Almighty for a very safe, smooth and successful delivery. It was by the Grace of God that I was able to carry the pregnancy from the beginning to the end. It was also by the Grace of Almighty God that the delivery was uncomplicated, defiling all medical myths. Father Lord, I thank You for all these and much more in Jesus Name!
I do not mind waking up at odd hours to attend to my baby. However, when One Dresser, the night crawler wakes me up at 2am or 3am, I get really upset! Well for one he is not my baby!
Let’s leave One Dresser for a later time. I actually thought that with the birth of this Baby, my older kids will let me be! But no, they would not, particularly my son. As far as he is concerned I have to give birth to a baby boy, so they can be two in the house! Can you imagine?! I just informed him very sweetly that Mummy is through having babies. Although this did not go down well with him, but I only pray he understands.
Now I have three kids. For the purpose of this blog I’ll name them Gee!, Tee! and Little Dee! Gee! is 7. Tee! is 3 going on 4. Little Dee! is 0 years old. LOL!
Got to go now, Little Dee! is calling! By the way I am a firm believer of exclusive breast feeding, so I breast feed Little Dee! on demand.
I thank God Almighty for a very safe, smooth and successful delivery. It was by the Grace of God that I was able to carry the pregnancy from the beginning to the end. It was also by the Grace of Almighty God that the delivery was uncomplicated, defiling all medical myths. Father Lord, I thank You for all these and much more in Jesus Name!
I do not mind waking up at odd hours to attend to my baby. However, when One Dresser, the night crawler wakes me up at 2am or 3am, I get really upset! Well for one he is not my baby!
Let’s leave One Dresser for a later time. I actually thought that with the birth of this Baby, my older kids will let me be! But no, they would not, particularly my son. As far as he is concerned I have to give birth to a baby boy, so they can be two in the house! Can you imagine?! I just informed him very sweetly that Mummy is through having babies. Although this did not go down well with him, but I only pray he understands.
Now I have three kids. For the purpose of this blog I’ll name them Gee!, Tee! and Little Dee! Gee! is 7. Tee! is 3 going on 4. Little Dee! is 0 years old. LOL!
Got to go now, Little Dee! is calling! By the way I am a firm believer of exclusive breast feeding, so I breast feed Little Dee! on demand.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
House of God
Today is Ash Wednesday!
Ash Wednesday, which is the seventh Wednesday before Easter, marks the beginning of Lent. The phrase Ash Wednesday is derived from the biblical practice of receiving a mark of ashes on the foreheads of people as a sign of repentance and mortality.
Most Orthodox Churches observed this day by holding services/masses. I was in Church this morning and after the usual celebrations it was time to receive the ash. There was an announcement that we should do it in an orderly manner as directed by the ushers and other officials. To my utmost shock, people were actually rushing, leaving their pews to join other pews and therefore making the whole thing dis-organised!
I was so shocked that I had to ask one of this "shunters" why he was acting in such a manner. I asked, "why are you doing this? Why are you rushing? Will the ash finish?" I had to ask him, just in case he did not remember he was in the house of God! Well I achieved my aim, because the man was visibly embarrassed!
Anyway, for all who believe in the essence of Lent, let us use this period and get closer to God, our Creator and pray to always do His will. Without God in our lives, nothing can be achieved. Turn that around, with God in our lives, we can achieve ALL that we ever wished for. That is FAITH.
Ash Wednesday, which is the seventh Wednesday before Easter, marks the beginning of Lent. The phrase Ash Wednesday is derived from the biblical practice of receiving a mark of ashes on the foreheads of people as a sign of repentance and mortality.
Most Orthodox Churches observed this day by holding services/masses. I was in Church this morning and after the usual celebrations it was time to receive the ash. There was an announcement that we should do it in an orderly manner as directed by the ushers and other officials. To my utmost shock, people were actually rushing, leaving their pews to join other pews and therefore making the whole thing dis-organised!
I was so shocked that I had to ask one of this "shunters" why he was acting in such a manner. I asked, "why are you doing this? Why are you rushing? Will the ash finish?" I had to ask him, just in case he did not remember he was in the house of God! Well I achieved my aim, because the man was visibly embarrassed!
Anyway, for all who believe in the essence of Lent, let us use this period and get closer to God, our Creator and pray to always do His will. Without God in our lives, nothing can be achieved. Turn that around, with God in our lives, we can achieve ALL that we ever wished for. That is FAITH.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Eko o ni baje (2)
Lagos State has changed! Yes O! There is a great wind of change sweeping through Lagos State. This wind of change is ridding Lagos of all vices!
One of such include the indiscipline and reckless nature of drivers, especially the commercial bus drivers! These group of people have been known for their gross indiscipline. Now they drive with some sense of "orderliness" You hardly see them weaving in and out of traffic for fear of having their vehicles impounded by the law enforcement agents.
Also, it is now illegal to trade on the streets of Lagos. This is very common at major bus stops like Obalende, Mushin, Oshodi etc. I drive through Oshodi most days and I must say, the traffic I experience on that route, especially on my way home after work, is very bad! However, this is now a thing of the past thankfully. These days, the drive home is so smooth that I get home before the day gets dark!
On a typical Tuesday, driving through the Osolo Way (off airport road) is an almost impossible task. This is because of the activities of the traders in the popular Aswani market.
Well, that was in the past! Now the whole road is free as all the traders have been "advised" to move into the market. No more street trading.
Illegal structures are being pulled down! In the course of these beautification of Lagos State, so many people are affected either because their shops were demolished or because their houses were demolished! I am not a holding brief for the State Government, but I must say the actions of the Governor are in order. The demolished structures, were illegal in the first place. Most of them were built over canals and gutters, thereby blocking the drainage system. Some were even built on the roads, obstructing the free flow of vehicles on the roads. Some even display their wares on the rails! Why would any sane human being put himself or herself to such risk by trading on the road or on the rail? The truth of the matter is that over the years, the State Government "closed its eye" to these wrongs. Not any more!
Governor Fashola is out to ensure that Lagos State gets a new look. Yes, a Brighter and Rewarding Future is very certain for the people of Lagos State. Well done Babatunde Raji Fashola!
Eko o ni baje!
One of such include the indiscipline and reckless nature of drivers, especially the commercial bus drivers! These group of people have been known for their gross indiscipline. Now they drive with some sense of "orderliness" You hardly see them weaving in and out of traffic for fear of having their vehicles impounded by the law enforcement agents.
Also, it is now illegal to trade on the streets of Lagos. This is very common at major bus stops like Obalende, Mushin, Oshodi etc. I drive through Oshodi most days and I must say, the traffic I experience on that route, especially on my way home after work, is very bad! However, this is now a thing of the past thankfully. These days, the drive home is so smooth that I get home before the day gets dark!
On a typical Tuesday, driving through the Osolo Way (off airport road) is an almost impossible task. This is because of the activities of the traders in the popular Aswani market.
Well, that was in the past! Now the whole road is free as all the traders have been "advised" to move into the market. No more street trading.Illegal structures are being pulled down! In the course of these beautification of Lagos State, so many people are affected either because their shops were demolished or because their houses were demolished! I am not a holding brief for the State Government, but I must say the actions of the Governor are in order. The demolished structures, were illegal in the first place. Most of them were built over canals and gutters, thereby blocking the drainage system. Some were even built on the roads, obstructing the free flow of vehicles on the roads. Some even display their wares on the rails! Why would any sane human being put himself or herself to such risk by trading on the road or on the rail? The truth of the matter is that over the years, the State Government "closed its eye" to these wrongs. Not any more!
Governor Fashola is out to ensure that Lagos State gets a new look. Yes, a Brighter and Rewarding Future is very certain for the people of Lagos State. Well done Babatunde Raji Fashola!
Eko o ni baje!
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