Kwara Gov. Launches Campaign Against Malaria
By Abdullahi Ahmed
The Kwara State Goverment has launched the statewide distribution of Integrated Seasonal Malaria Chemo-prevention and Insecticide Treated Nets, SMC/ITN to fight against malaria.
At the event, the Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq reiterated his administration’s readiness to continue to pay prompt attention to the health needs of the masses and their wellbeing.
He aid that mosquito net is an effective tool to tackle the menace of malaria because of the barrier it provides against mosquito bites, especially at night.
The Governor urged residents to collect them and used as prescribed for protection against malaria.
He stated that consistent interventions since 2021, has helped to reduce malaria prevalence in the State to 20% and 6% for under 5-year-old children.
Governor Abdulrasaq congratulated every member of the team and development partners on the huge feats made so far, and pledged to continue to create an enabling environment to encourage partnership.
In an address, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Issa Kawu, noted that malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria and called for collective efforts to tackle it.
He commended the Governor for his proactiveness in the fight against malaria prevalence.
In a remark, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminat Ahmed El-Imam explained that about two point two million nets worth eleven point six million Dollars and malaria preventive drugs worth over thirty-six million dollars will be distributed.
The Commissioner, noted that Eleven Local Government Areas, selected based on their rainfall pattern information for four consecutive months, would benefit from the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) activities.
The Country Manager for Global Fund, Dr. Jean-thomas said that the choice of Kwara as the first State to receive the new LLIN and SMC/ITN nets was because of the Governor’s leadership style which has led to landmark achievements in its health sector.
Highlights of the event were the symbolic presentation of insecticide Treated Nets to some families in the state and the Governor demonstrating the use of the net by briefly sleeping in it.
