By Olayinka Ilori
The Ekiti State government has commenced moves towards a hitch free distribution and sensitization of beneficiaries on the proper usage of insecticide treated nets received under the World Bank- assisted
Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project.
Speaking at the sub-committee planning meeting initiated to discuss modalities for the effective distribution and usage of the nets in Ado, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and human Services Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun explained that the move was one of the sustainable approaches towards protecting pregnant women and children from malaria disease.
Mrs Gbenga-Igotun who was represented by the Director Public Health, Ministry of Health Dr Yekini Ibrahim stated that the nets will be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries at designated public Primary Health Facilities across the state.
She noted that the move was to further improve maternal and child health outcomes in the state and contribute to the national malaria elimination goals
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the treatment of malaria for children under five years and pregnant women remains free in Ekiti, noting that the government was leaving no stone unturned at ensuring affordable and qualitative healthcare services for the people.
The IMPACT Project Manager Dr Folu Ekundare who spoke on the successes recorded in the prevention of malaria in the state noted that measures are being put in place to ensure that the nets are used for the purpose they were meant for by the beneficiaries.
A resource person at the forum, professor Hillary Okoh who dwelt extensively on major prevention strategies of malaria, emphasized the critical role of maintaining a clean environment in the fight against malaria.
He explained that sleeping inside insecticide treated nets, indoor residual spraying and improved health seeking habit were proactive steps to protect residents from malaria infection.
Prof Okoh maintained that malaria was treatable and curable adding that negligence in abiding by the preventive measures always result in severe complications.
Members of the sub-committee selected from religious groups, the academia, the health sector and media professionals amongst others resolved on modalities to ensure that deserving pregnant women and fully immunized children at public healthcare facilities receive the free long lasting insecticide mosquito nets across the state.
