Anambra State Government has flagged-off the distribution of three-point-eight million insecticide treated nets to Ndi Anambra.
Governor Soludo performed the flag-off ceremony of nets which will be distributed free of cost at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The distribution is carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Malaria Consortium.
The exercise will be door to door after the flag-off.
Professor Soludo, in his remarks appealed to Anambra residents not to take the exercise for granted
Governor Soludo who appreciated the magnanimous funding from the partners, said that it is a way to start the campaign and sensitisation program as a fore-runner to the distribution.
Governor Soludo said that it is part of the efforts to ensure healthy living.
Governor Soludo who stated that the lifespan of the net is about three years, revealed that the vaccination against malaria is being rolled out in the journey to zero malaria in Anambra state.
As a wake up call for everybody to get involved in the campaign, he called on women, Traditional Rulers, and Presidents General who he said will play a major role in mobilising the communities in the distribution process to minimize malaria, saying that there are several households who may not need the nets, but directed that households that need them should receive more than a net when the distribution commences.
He appealed to the distribution team to ensure equitable distribution of the mosquito nets.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo who was decorated as Net Ambassador, expressed delight in the honour and that households will be registered and given nets and asked everyone to make themselves available, by providing the relevant information for the distribution exercise which will commence from 2 – 17 August, 2022.
While enumerating some of the achievements by the present administration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike rehearsed that the distribution exercise is a fight for zero tolerance against malaria and pointed out that studies show that the use of nets is low in the state.
Dr Obidike explained that choosing such a time is informed by the fact that malaria increases during rainy season and stressed that Governor Soludo is determined to provide quality healthcare to Ndi Anambra.
While pleading with the government and people of the state to receive and make use of the nets, the West and Central Africa Programme Director of World Health Organization, Dr. Kolawole Maxwell spoke on the public health impact of the malaria burden, saying that if the menace is eliminated, the economic benefits are immeasurable.
He stated that Nigeria is committed to elimination of malaria by 2025, just like other countries have done.
Symbolic presentation of nets to a few beneficiaries, featured at the event which was attended by the Ministry of Health, United Nations agencies in Anambra State, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluchi Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi and members of Anambra State Executive Council.
Ejike Abana
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