Utilize Interventions To Reduce Prevalence Of Malaria -NMEP

By Florence Adewale

The National Malaria Elimination Programme, NMEP has called on Nigerians to ensure adequate utilization of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of malaria in the country.

The National Coordinator of the programme, Godwin Ntadom made this known in Abuja at an Advocacy Focused Media Dissemination Meeting with the Civil Society In Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition, said most of the interventions such as mosquito nets distributed to the populace are used for other purposes like fishing and gardening.

Represented by Mrs Hope Oboko, Mr. Ntadom who said this had defeated the aim called on the media not to relent in sensitizing Nigerians on the necessary precautions and proper utilization of available materials to eradicate the disease.

Mr. Ntadom explained further “Control activities going on are geared towards Malaria Elimination, that is our vision to ensure a malaria free Nigeria. The last Malaria indicator survey that was done says that Nigeria has a 26 percent prevalence, so we are still looking forward to that vision of Malaria Elimination”.

“Even if it is leveraging on meetings to create awareness on treatment and prevention so that our medical practitioners can gain more knowledge on treatment of Malaria”.

In an address, the National Coordinator, Civil Society In Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition, Mr. Ayo Ipinmoye while highlighting interventions that led to improvement in the reduction of the disease said stakeholders had to ensure interventions are properly utilized to meet the national strategy of sector wide approach to address challenges in the treatment and eradication of diseases in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Ipinmoye, “Malaria elimination should be seen as a project that demands immediate attention over the next years, the Civil Society will step up action to drive national, sub-national, community, mass media and stakeholders attention to the gaps that remain in this fight, so that we all can do all that is necessary in this fight.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Country Coordinating Mechanism for Global Fund, Mr. Tajudeeen Ibrahim explained that the sector wide approach to ensure basic health care fund would go a long way to address wastage and create a market for local manufacturing of quality consumables.

Edited By Grace Namiji