Gov.
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Friday in Akure flagged off the distribution
of 2.9 million long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets to
residents of the state.
Akeredolu,
who was represented by Dr Jibayo Oyewole, the Special Adviser on Health Matters
to the governor, noted that malaria still remained a major public health
problem in Nigeria despite preventable measures.
He
said that malaria constituted a major economic burden in the country because about
N148 billion was lost annually in the form of treatment cost and
prevention.
According
to him, statistics have shown that more than 60 per cent of hospital attendance
was due to malaria and three out of every 10 admission beds were due to
malaria.
The
governor said that the critical elements needed to achieve positive change in
fight against malaria was the change in behavioural and social norms with
regards to sleeping inside treated mosquito nets.
“The
ownership and use of the nets has remained the most cost effective and easily
deployed methods for malaria prevention.
“Significant
reduction in malaria related deaths and disability over the years have been
attributed to the massive promotion of the ownership and use of the nets,” he
said.
The
governor said the distribution of the nets was to ensure universal coverage of
the populace in the state.
Similarly,
the governor’s wife, Mrs Betty Ayanwu-Akeredolu, said malaria infection still
posed a great threat to health and socio-economic wellbeing of many Nigerians.
Ayanwu-Akeredolu
stressed the need for concerted efforts to fight malaria.
The
governor’s wife, who was honoured as net ambassador in the state by the
Catholic Relief Service ( CRS ), encouraged the people to use the nets
correctly so that there would be effectiveness of the campaign.
She
said nobody should sell the nets because some organisations and government paid
for them.
“These
nets do not come free, but a lot of funds have gone into it; therefore let us
use the nets for what they are meant for and not for fishing but sleeping
inside them after hanging for 24 hours.
“I
have committed myself for Ondo State that is free of malaria and if we all make
concerted efforts, we will create the Ondo State we deserve and history will
not forget us,” she said.
Mrs
Rebecca Bassey, the representative of Catholic Relief Services, said that over
16.5 million nets were being distributed in six states in Nigeria, Ondo
State being one of them.
Bassey
noted that the state had demonstrated itself to be a dependable and reliable
partner, considering its show of love for giving safe and conducive environment
for the campaign.
She
added that the exercise would no doubt contribute immensely to collective
efforts towards eliminating malaria from the state and Nigeria in general.
“National
Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) of the Federal Ministry of Health and CRS
with funding from Global Fund are distributing over 16.5million nets in six
states in Nigeria including Ondo State,” she said.
According
to her, CRS has been implementing programme in Nigeria for over 17 years.
Source: TheNation
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