Daud Olatunji
The state government has announced a collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the Society for Family Health (SFH) to distribute 3.1 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to residents in a strategic effort to combat malaria and reduce the disease burden in the State.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the distribution, part of the 2024 ITN mass campaign, is designed to curb malaria by providing households with treated mosquito nets, a preventive measure proven to significantly reduce malaria cases.
Speaking during a media orientation in Abeokuta on Monday, the State Health Educator, Dr. Olubukola Omotosho, highlighted the importance of the campaign, noting that the registration and mobilisation phase would run from October 31 to November 6, 2024.
The net distribution is scheduled to begin on November 19, 2024, with each household receiving a token or net card during registration, which they will use to collect their ITNs.
“The objective of this initiative is to provide treated mosquito nets for residents, thereby helping to reduce the malaria burden in Ogun State,” Omotosho stated.
She called on journalists to help create awareness about the campaign and ensure residents are well informed about the registration and distribution process.
This programme, funded by the Global Fund Malaria Project, aims to address the low usage of ITNs in the state.
The Project Director for Global Fund Malaria at SFH, Mr. John Ocholi, expressed concern over the state’s current low percentage of ITN usage.
According to him, the free distribution of treated nets is critical to combating malaria and positioning Nigeria to achieve zero malaria prevalence, similar to countries like Egypt, Algeria, and Cape Verde.
Ocholi emphasised the broader impact of using ITNs, stating, “The use of these nets will not only reduce the incidence of malaria but also alleviate the financial burden of medical care for malaria treatment.
“ This will allow households to redirect resources towards other basic needs such as feeding, accommodation, and education.”
With 14,000 personnel and 1,400 distribution points set to assist in the distribution process, Ocholi called on the media to help disseminate information and ensure maximum awareness among residents.
He noted that while the nets would be widely distributed, some areas with lower malaria prevalence may not receive them.
He added that the programme will focus more on high-risk rural areas, while pregnant women and children under five in prioritised areas will be required to visit government health facilities for their nets.
Ocholi also stressed the importance of properly using the nets.
He advised beneficiaries to air the nets under a shade for 24 hours before use to prevent discomfort and urged households with old or damaged nets to return them for proper recycling.
In his presentation, Daniel Gbue, Media Communication Manager for the campaign, revealed alarming statistics about malaria’s toll on global health, noting that malaria claims nine lives every hour, with Nigeria accounting for one in every five deaths.
Gbue further explained that malaria is a leading cause of absenteeism in schools and workplaces, underscoring the urgent need for collective efforts to combat the disease.
Gbue urged residents to join hands with the government and partner organisations by embracing the use of ITNs and maintaining clean environments to help eradicate malaria.
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