Katsina- A University Don, Prof. Junaidu Na’aliya, has challenged Nigerian scientists to collaborate with each other to explore ways of using nuclear technology to eradicate mosquitoes from the country.
Na’aliya, Head, Department of Organic Chemistry, Bayero University, Kano, made the suggestion on Tuesday in Katsina in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that scientists could use nuclear chemistry to sterilise mosquitoes and reduce the scourge of malaria which had claimed many lives in the country.
“The scientists can utilise a technique known as Sterile Insects Technique (SIT) that prevents insects from multiplying due to elements of nuclear particles on their eggs.
“The technique involves rearing large numbers of mosquitoes in an incubation centre; irradiate their eggs with gamma radiation before they are hatched and then sterilise them.
“The sterilised male mosquitoes are then released in large numbers to mosquitoes infected areas across the country; when they mate with the females, no offspring are produced,’’ he said.
Na’aliya said that if the process is repeated over time, it would lead to the systematic eradication of mosquitoes from the country.
The professor called on the Federal Ministry of Health to set aside funds for the establishment of incubation centres across the country for sterilizing mosquitoes.
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He said that Malaysia and other Asian countries that tried the technology were now free from the menace of mosquitoes. (NAN)