Malaria: Enugu Govt. to receive 2m insecticide treated nets from World Bank

The Enugu State Government says it will 2 million treated insecticide nets through the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, disclosed this during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Malaria Day with the theme “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a more Equitable World,” held on Thursday at the ministry.

According to reports, the objective of the World Bank IMPACT project for Nigeria is to reduce under-five mortality rate in programme areas.

The areas with four key components include Malaria Control, Immunization Plus, knowledge for Change and Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC).

The commissioner said that the state had since paid its counterpart fund but was currently waiting for its implementation.

Obi added that through the project, the state would receive treated mosquito nets and drugs for the treatment and prevention of malaria through the Islamic Development Bank that was implementing the programme.

He explained that the state had also made several warehouses available for the storage of the drugs.

“All these is about to happen through the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The Commissioner also urged developed and African countries to assist in manufacturing vaccine against malaria in the continent.

According to him, this is the time to really call upon the efforts of the developed world, African countries and even Nigeria to continue to look into possibility of manufacturing of vaccines in our own environment.

“It is not rocket science only if we put certain standard and policies together, it will become possible in our own lifetime”.

While noting that malaria was a disease of public importance, the commissioner said that it was most highly prevalent parasitic infection in Sub-Sahara Africa which resulted in high morbidity and mortality especially among children under five and pregnant women.

He added that malaria imposed high economic and social impact, premature deaths, reduced productivity and huge medical cost.

“So we are commemorating the day to create massive awareness to bring to lime light the malaria burden as well as efforts and progress made towards malaria.

“It is also a day to mobilize support for state and non-state stakeholders to renew commitment towards the fight against it.

“Malaria remains a menance in our society in spite of the government and partners intervention, our state is faced with the challenges that hampered the fight against malaria,” he said.

Obi attributed the reason for the endemic to heavy pattern of rainfall with flooding in some areas, resistance of mosquitos to the routine repellants, poor hygiene and sanitation, overcrowding, non-adherence to malaria guidelines and inequality in access to care.

He advised citizens to keep their environment clean, put nets on their doors and windows and avoid staying outside in the evening that mosquito was high.

Obi stressed that with efforts of Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu, the state would have treated mosquito nets based on the research on mosquitos found in Enugu State.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Enugu State Malaria Programme Manager and Coordinator, Dr Ifeoma Otiji, lauded their partners for support to the state.

She said they would perform test and treat those that had malaria, adding that free drug would be given to them.

“There will be road walk to commemorate and sensitise the public on dangers of malaria and need to take adequate care,” she said.

The highlight of the event include the donations of malaria drugs by Gov. Peter Mbah’s wife, Nkechinyere Mbah, Juhel Nigeria Limited and test kits by Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Enugu chapter.(NAN)