ANAMBRA BEGINS DISTRIBUTION OF FREE INSECTICIDE TREATED NET

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

The Anambra State Government has commenced the distribution of over three million free insecticide treated nets to residents of the state as part of measures by government to prevent the spread of malaria.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who performed the ceremony at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, assured the citizenry that nets would be evenly distributed across communities in the state, especially the rural areas.

The Anambra State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Malaria consortium, organised the event.

Professor Soludo, while thanking the open philanthropic funding of the organizers and other international partners, explained that the campaign for zero malaria in the state would ensure that every household and individuals were protected and adequately sensitized to the imperative of malaria prevention.

The Governor, while stressing the significance of the insecticide treated nets and maintenance of a healthy living, said the life span for the treated net was for three years even as vaccination against malaria was being gradually rolled out to ensure that in shortest time every citizen would be vaccinated.

The Governor emphasized that traditional rulers, Presidents-General and youth leaders should play a very important role in the mobilization and distribution process.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ben Obidike, who had reiterated the essence of zero tolerance to malaria using a preventive means, expressed fears that the use of insecticidal treated net in the state was low as 23 percent below the recommended 53 percent by the Nigeria Malaria Eliminiation programme, hence the increase in the number of malaria patients in hospitals across the state.

Mr. Obidike noted that pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies were most vulnerable to malaria disease caused by the bite of female anopheles mosquito.

In a remark, the Malaria Consortium of West Central African Programme Director, Dr. Kolawale Maxwell, said the impact in elimination of malaria was immesurable in terms of economic benefits to the state and Nigeria at largr.

The Minister for Health Dr. Osagie Enahire,
in a speech while expressing dismay with the downward trend in the use of nets, harped on the role of traditional and religious leaders in the crusade of sensitization and the use of the insecticidal treated nets to every nook and cranny of the state.

Represented by Mrs. Hope Okpoko, the Health Minister noted that the sensitization would go a long way in curtailing the spread of the disease across the state.

While being decorated as Anambra State Net Ambassador for the 2022 flag off, Mrs. Nonye Soludo expressed her delight on being a critical stakeholder.

The event featured the use of insecticidal treated net by the health officials.