Nigerian state urges malaria action

A majority of hospital admissions in the Cross River State in Nigeria are linked to malaria or related diseases, it has been reported.

Some 60 per cent of cases were either attributable or connected to the infectious disease, it was revealed by Dr Iyam Ugot, a key figure in the Roll Back Malaria initiative.

However, Dr Ugot maintained a positive outlook and underlined the state's readiness to reduce levels of the disease by 80 per cent in 2010 and to eradicate it completely by 2013.

Dr Ugot also announced that the state government had acquired some 50 hectares of land for the cultivation of Amticilin, a plant used in the production of important anti-malarial drugs.

This has been heralded as crucial in keeping malaria drugs affordable and a part of a concerted strategy to bring about the end of the disease in the State.

Malaria is thought to be responsible for 25 per cent of infant mortality in the area.