Ogun Treats 254, 593 Malaria Patients For Free In 2020 - Commissioner

Busola Adesina

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun state government has disclosed that, it has treated no fewer than 254, 593 malaria patients for free in the year 2020.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker who disclosed this on Friday at a press conference marking this year's World Malaria Day with the theme, "Zero Malaria,  Draw the line against Malaria" said the figure represent 99.5% of the total 255,872 patients tested positive for malaria parasite in the year under review. 

Dr.  Coker explained that, the state government has continued the free testing and treatment with Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACTs) in the Primary Health facilities in the state. 

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde said the state government is equally working with her partners to ensure that, proven interventions are deployed towards malaria elimination which include, distribution of free long lasting insecticide net for pregnant women and children under five years. 

She noted that, the state government would soon embark on replacement campaign aimed at distributing 3.7million nets to every household in July 2021.

"Malaria creates additional  burden on the  already weakened  health system and account for about 480 billions Naira in out-of-pocket expenses for treatment, prevention  and man hours loss;  it thus exerts a severe social  and economic  burden on the nation and households.

"The Government of Ogun state is working  with her partners to ensure that proven interventions  are deployed towards malaria elimination ; these include: Distribution of  free long lasting insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to pregnant women at first  booking and children under five years  who complete immunisation schedules in all public  health  facilities.

"It is  pertinent to note that the  State  has also started  the process of LLIN replacement campaign aimed at distributing 3.7m nets to every household. The household  mobilization  and distribution  process to all households  is planned for July 2021. The distribution  would  flagged off by His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun.  All household  members  are expected to collect  their nets and use them correctly by sleeping inside them every night".

Also speaking, the marketing  Director, Reckitt Nigeria, Mr. Tanzim Rezwan said the company  is partnering with state government to reinforce the nation's fight to eliminate the menance of  malaria in  Nigeria. 

 

Mr. Rezwan noted that the  company is consolidating on its effort in fight against  malaria under a campaign called "mortein fight to end malaria".

He stretched  further  that as part of partnership arrangement with Ogun state government the company is embarking on -ground market and community engagement activities, Digital Education and Radio engagement.