By Fatima Abubakre

Professor (Mrs.) Sylvia Omonirume Malomo is a Molecular Biochemist at the University of Ilorin. She is the first female Dean of Science in the institution and her research interests revolves around biological membranes, toxicology and enzymology. She gives insight into issues surrounding the malaria scourge.

MANY scholars have come up with different solutions to the problem of tackling malaria globally especially through the 'Rollback Malaria' programme. Also, health experts have successively come up with various policies, all in a bid to eradicate malaria in Nigeria. But these efforts do not seem to be yielding the desired results.

Nevertheless, Professor (Mrs.) Sylvia Omonirume Malomo, a Molecular Biochemist at the University of Ilorin has a remarkably distinctive viewpoint on the scourge of malaria borne out of the belief that unless extensive research into the development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics in the treatment of malaria are vigorously pursued, concerted efforts being made to tackle the scourge globally through the 'Rollback malaria' programme, would be hindered because of the increasing resistance of malaria parasite, P. falciparum to the few available anti-malarial drugs.

Mrs. Malomo is the first female Dean of Science in the institution whose research interests revolves around biological membranes, toxicology and enzymology. According to her, the number of effective drugs available to treat malaria is small; noting that the few existing drugs are plagued by increasing resistance, particularly in the tropics, at a rate which outpaces the development of new anti-malarial drugs.

Malomo said that the emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance is as a result of the occurrence of a genetic change or mutation in a malaria parasite, which interferes with the parasite's susceptibility to a drug, pointing out that, 'a single mutation may be sufficient to confer almost complete resistance to some drugs. This has significant economic and political impact on the underdeveloped world."

To prevent the development of resistance to anti-malarial drugs, she noted that a new therapeutic approach, through the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) was endorsed by the World Health Organisation as a policy standard for all malaria infections in areas where malaria parasite is predominant.

She disclosed that most pharmaceutical companies disengaged from research into tropical diseases in the 1970s, leaving a gap in the development of new and affordable tools to manage malaria. "Though affecting millions, the lack of ability to pay for market financed drugs, results in insufficient market incentive to drive the development of innovative products by "big pharmaceutical companies," she explained.

Prof. Malomo, who warned on the dangers of combining drugs based on herbs with pharmaceuticals for therapeutic purposes, noted that some toxic effects may not be reversible; urging government agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that new chemicals and pharmaceuticals introduced into the Nigerian market were subjected to thorough toxicological evaluation to prevent any health disasters.

Not only does mutation affect malaria parasite, Malomo discloses that it could affect genes regulating cell functions which could result in mitochondrial diseases that could affect several organs of the body, leading to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson disease, and health problems like diabetes and obesity. She, however, advocates a diet rich in protein especially in infants and growing children to ensure that mitochondrial metabolism is not compromised.

"The food and drinks we consume contain some other chemicals different from the basic nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals required for growth and maintenance and these find their way into our tissues and cells. These include preservatives, colouring agents, flavourings and food enhancers. Similarly, chemical constituents of cosmetic products are absorbed through the skin" adding that, "the burden therefore lies on researchers in the area of toxicology to validate claims regarding new chemicals and ensure safety."

Being the first female Dean of Science in the University, Malomo admits it was a 'challenge'. "I am somebody who feels challenged by any assignment; if you give me an assignment, I like to deliver and being the Dean was one of those I considered as an assignment. I needed also to be sure that I didn't set a bad example, I think that the people in the Faculty had confidence in my ability to deliver; that is why they elected me Dean out of the four of us that contested for the position."

As the daughter of a junior policeman whose father was often times transferred to different parts of the country, she reveals that she had learnt to take responsibilities at an early age. "I had a happy childhood because my father was a family man and when I say family, not just the nuclear family, but the extended family."

Malomo, an Urhobo woman from Delta State is married to a Yoruba man from Kwara State. "My husband supports whatever makes me happy. He is a priest and a neurosurgeon who works much harder than I do, so we have to support each other. I thank God for giving me an understanding partner," she said when asked on the challenges of combining her career with the home front.

She has this advice for women: "Remain faithful to your husband and your family; nurture the family because if you don't nurture, everything will go haywire. It is in the power of women to mould and nurture, and women must not forget this first assignment that has been given to them and to work hard at it. If you have children, train up your child the way they should be because they will be the leaders of tomorrow and by the time you are old, they will be the one that will give you the peace that you need."

As a mother, she says, "We should avoid spoiling our children with virtually everything. A little deprivation is good for a child because he/she should be made to realise that things don't come easily."

On her philosophy about life, she has this to say: "I put God first in my life. I like to be guided by what God says."

Born in Warri on 7th April 1957 to the Sakpere family in Orhuwhorun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Sylvia Malomo attended Oriel Girls' School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos from 1965 to 1966 for her primary education. She also attended Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba, Lagos from 1967 to 1969. She proceeded to Federal Government College Warri for her O'levels and Advanced levels from 1970-1976.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree, Masters and a PHD in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan from 1979 to 1985. She has won scholarships and prizes and has many publications to her credit. Married to Professor Adefolarin Malomo, a neurosurgeon and a priest in the Anglican Church, the marriage is blessed with four children.