The Kwara Government says it will distribute over two million Integrated Insecticide Treated Nets (IITNs) across the 16 local government areas of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday by the Press Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Hamdalat Temitope.
The statement said the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Abosede Buraimoh, announced the plan in Ilorin on Friday during a courtesy visit to her office by officials of the Society for Family Health.
According to the statement, Buraimoh, who described malaria as a killer disease, urged residents, especially women, to make judicious use of the nets.
It said the commissioner stressed the need for preventive measures against Malaria and other diseases, saying “such is more cost effective than curative measures.”
The statement said Buraimoh disclosed that the proposed over two million treated nets distribution would be done through a door-to-door approach across the 16 councils in the state.
It quoted Buraimoh as saying “malaria has significant consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and women.”
The statement said the commissioner commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for placing high priority on the health sector in the state.
Similarly, the statement said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Musa Okanlawon, promised to collaborate with the society in sensitising people at the grassroots about the importance of using the nets to curb the menace of malaria in the state.
It stated that the Team Leader and Technical Director, Society for Family Health, Mr John Ocholi, also commended the state government for collaborating with the National Malaria Elimination Programme in order to eliminate malaria scurge in Kwara.
“Ocholi also emphasised that the distribution of the nets would be carried out on a door-to-door basis across all the 16 local government areas of the state.
“Ocholi said malaria is a leading cause of illness and death in Nigeria; contributing to high child mortality rates and reduced productivity.
“Untreated malaria can result in complications such as anaemia, organ failure and even death,” the statement added.
The meeting was attended by the Director Personnel, Finance and Supply, Maryam Ishola; and Director, Child Development, Mrs Maryam Yusuf.
Also present were the Director, Women Development, Mrs Medinat Idris; and Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mu’azu Alhassan.
