The House at its plenary session on Wednesday, 9^th May 2018 urged the Federal Ministry of Health to scale up parasitological diagnosis in all health care centres through strategic awareness and behavioural change and also promote awareness on the use of rapid diagnostic test in rural communities where malaria microscopy is not readily available.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Hon. Ezekiel A. Adaji (PDP: Benue) stated that Nigeria is one of the countries highly burdened by malaria, with episodes of malaria attacks accounting for approximately 20% of all hospital admissions, 30% of outpatient visits and 10% of hospital deaths. He said that the burden of this disease strains the resources of the healthcare system, as spending on malaria treatment and prevention accounts for nearly 50% of healthcare expenditures in Nigeria.

Speaking further, he observed that to effectively diagnose and treat malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends a confirmatory blood test for all suspected cases of malaria and a prescription of Artemisinin based combination therapy upon confirmation of malaria positivity. He said that despite the policies recommending parasitological testing before treatment for malaria and the increased availability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests to facilitate diagnosis, presumptive diagnosis and treatment remains widespread in Nigeria.

Hon. Adaji added that nearly 60% of Nigerians seek treatment for malaria at privately owned pharmacies and chemists, majority of which are not licensed, owned or staffed by formally trained pharmacists. He observed that the situation is worse in the rural areas where majority of vendors who are informally trained and loosely regulated, are usually the only source of drugs.

The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Health to synergize with these vendors patent medicine dealers who are the first contact for most rural dwellers, so as to ensure adequate diagnosis before treatment by stocking rapid diagnostic tests constantly and also using them when necessary before treating patients who present with fever. The House also mandated its Committee on Health Care Services to ensure compliance.