Nigeria Moves Closer to Malaria-free Status, As Ogun Gets 3.1 Million Insecticide Treated Nets

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…Advocates For Proper and Effective Utilization

In a continued effort to end the prevalence of malaria in Ogun, the Society for Family Health has joined forces with the Ogun State government to end malaria, targeting all households across the 20 local governments in the state.

This was said by the Project Director for the Society for Family Health and team leads John Echoli during the media engagement held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, thereby calling on citizens to utilize the ITNs effectively.

Ocholi disclosed that Nigeria can also achieve zero levels of malaria, just like Egypt’s recently declared malaria-free, adding that it is an inspiration to strive for similar success.

He maintained that the efforts focus on preventing mosquito bites through free net distribution, environmental management, and proper waste disposal, while also Pregnant women receive IPT dosages during ANC visits to protect themselves and their children.

Ocholi posited that to effectively combat malaria in Ogun State, a multi-faceted approach is necessary which includes distributing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) as a crucial step.

According to him, “Recently, Egypt’s declaration of being malaria-free has inspired us to strive for similar success. Our team and partners are encouraged by Nigeria’s progress, with malaria prevalence decreasing from 47% in 2010 to 19% in 2022, I’m pleased to report that Nigeria is making progress in reducing malaria prevalence”.

“Our efforts focus on preventing mosquito bites through free net distribution, environmental management, and proper waste disposal. Pregnant women receive IPT dosages during ANC visits to protect themselves and their children, collaboration between the federal and state ministries of health, WHO, and partners is crucial in achieving malaria elimination. With continued efforts, we hope Nigeria will reach its goal soon.”

“To effectively combat malaria in Ogun State, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Distributing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is a crucial step, as it’s a highly effective way to reduce malaria transmission. Since 2000, over 2 billion ITNs have been delivered to malaria-endemic countries, significantly contributing to the decline in malaria incidence. Collaboration between the federal and state ministries of health, WHO, and partners is crucial in achieving malaria elimination. With continued efforts, we hope Nigeria will reach its goal soon.”

Speaking on the malaria vaccine, he posited that the introduction of the malaria vaccine is a welcome addition, adding that the challenges remain in securing sufficient doses.

“Recently, Nigeria received 850,000 doses, with an additional 150,000 on the way, totaling 1 million doses. However, with four doses required for full protection, this only covers 250,000 children, a small fraction of those in need, by adopting a comprehensive approach, Ogun State can make significant strides in controlling and eliminating malaria”. He posited.

Also speaking, Mrs. Olamide Adeyinka the malaria program manager in Ogun, acknowledged the readiness of the state to distribute the ITNs throughout the LGs in the state.

She noted that there will be more focus on people who are living in rural areas where the risk of malaria is higher.

According to her” The objective of the ITNs mass campaign is to ensure that for every 2persons, there is one-bed net to sleep inside, Households mobilization and registration will commence from the 31st October to the 6th of November”

She urged all households to have someone present at home within the period to provide information to the household mobilizers.

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