Mu’azu Shehu
Kebbi State Government says it has procured 2.8 million long lasting insecticide nets for distribution to all households as part of efforts to curb the menace of malaria in the state.
Kebbi state Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Ja’afar Muhammad, stated this during the commemoration of world malaria day in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
He said,” Within this year, Kebbi state government in partnership with President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) have procured 2.8 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, ready to be distributed to all households in Kebbi state within the next couple of months.
“The government is resolute at expanding investment opportunities in other malaria interventions and innovative programs such as indoor residual spray as well as other vector control and surveillance measures, while strengthening drug-based malaria preventive and treatment mechanisms.”
Mohammad assured that the government would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to review their mechanisms in order to reduce the burden of malaria in the state.
“And to achieve this intent and purpose, we all need to move from the mindset of seeing malaria as only a health problem but as a socio-economic threat that requires all stakeholders to join hand together and take action to eliminate malaria in our dear state and country.
He also lamented that the malaria constituted a huge epidemiological burden to the country and continued to cripple economic development through high morbidity and mortality, saying the disease is treatable and could be prevented.
“In Kebbi state malaria is responsible for more than 70 per cent of outpatient attendance in the health facilities and is more reported in the vulnerable group such as children under five and pregnant women.
“Over the last few years, the malaria prevalence in Kebbi state has dropped from 64 per cent in 2015 to 52.2 per cent in 2018 as indicated in the last National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) report, another survey is in the offing towards 2023.
“The slight reduction in malaria prevalence experienced in the state owing largely to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, supports from implementing partners and other efforts of individuals and civil society organization.
” Kebbi State government launched ‘’Operation Stop Malaria’’ amongst other laudable intervention to reverse the trend of malaria and reduce the negative impact of the disease in the entire state,” the commissioner said.
Earlier, State Coordinator of breakthrough Action, Nigeria, Mr Sami Olaniru, said the USAID as a partner had been trying its best in the state which made the case of malaria to reduce drastically in the state.
He commended the efforts of the state government and other partners, especially the USAID for their contribution in combating the malaria in the state.
The theme for this year World Malaria Day is “Advance Equity, Build Resilience, End Malaria” reinforced with the Slogan “Every Effort Counts”.
It is aimed at celebrating progress achieved by a diverse set of countries that have reached zero malaria since 2000., encourage a growing number of communities on the actions towards malaria elimination.