By: Pentho Goldmark Ondo State is preparing for a major health intervention as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is set to flag off the distributio...
By: Pentho Goldmark
Ondo State is preparing for a major health intervention as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is set to flag off the distribution of 3.6 million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) across the state on Monday, September 8. The initiative, running until September 17, is aimed at curbing malaria and protecting residents from one of the country’s most persistent public health threats.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the Ondo State Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme, and Malaria Consortium. Trained personnel in malaria-branded uniforms will visit homes across the state to register beneficiaries and distribute the nets, ensuring that every household is reached.
Speaking during a media briefing in Akure, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, highlighted the urgency of the campaign, noting that malaria prevalence in Ondo currently stands at 27 percent. “Sleeping under an ITN is one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria,” he said. “Studies show ITN use can reduce malaria incidence by 50 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears more than 90 percent of global cases.”
Dr. Ajaka also advised residents to air the new nets for 24 hours in the shade before hanging them and to ensure they are used properly every night throughout the year. In addition to the ITN distribution, the government will intensify efforts against fake drugs, with health officials visiting pharmacies and patent medicine shops equipped with scanning machines to verify drug authenticity.
Earlier, State Malaria Programme Officer, Dr. Waheed Afolayan, emphasized that malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. He noted that the country accounts for 25 percent of global malaria cases and 30 percent of malaria-related deaths, with children under five and pregnant women being the most affected.
“About 60 percent of patients in health facilities are treated for malaria, contributing significantly to the nation’s poverty indices,” Afolayan said. “Government at all levels, alongside households, spends billions of naira annually on prevention and treatment. Malaria must be tackled head-on if we are to reduce its burden on families and the economy.”
The upcoming ITN distribution marks a bold step in Ondo State’s fight against malaria, combining preventive measures, public awareness, and community engagement to safeguard the health of its residents.
Photo credit: Vanguard News
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