Malaria: Zamfara government vows to stop diversion of insecticide-treated nets
Zamfara State Health Secretary Dr. Aisha Anka has directed all staff and facilities under the department to work with the state government and development partners towards the success of the malaria eradication program in the state.
He also said the government was taking steps to prevent the diversion of pesticide-treated nets.
Mr. Anka told reporters at the ministry’s conference hall that the current prevalence of malaria in the state is very alarming, noting that the disease poses a serious threat to children and pregnant women.
He further explained that malaria remained the most common cause of absenteeism in schools, offices, farms, markets and other legitimate activities, resulting in reduced productivity.
“It places a huge social and economic burden on our communities and the country. The current malaria prevalence in Zamfara State is 37% (NMIS) in 2021.
“To reduce the burden of malaria in the state, the state government has decided to collaborate with the National Malaria Eradication Program (NMEP), the US President’s Malaria Initiative, PMI US, and other development partners to address the problem of malaria eradication.”320 We will contribute to the state by donating 10,000 insecticide-treated nets,” she said.
He said all households would need to be registered before the nets could be distributed, and the exercise, known as household mobilization, would see people wearing uniforms with the malaria logo appear from 1 December 2023 onwards. They will visit each household until the end of the day.
She lamented that 66 million malaria cases occur annually in Nigeria (World Malaria Report, 2017) and that according to the 2021 Nigeria Indicator Survey (NMIS), malaria incidence in Nigeria was higher than in 2015. (MIS). ) In 2021 she will be 22% (NMIS).
“Net distribution in Zamfara state will begin from the 24th until January 2, 2024. A representative of each household is expected to go to the distribution point written on the net card and pick up the net for their family. I am.”
Sani Aliyu, Program Manager for the United States President’s Malaria Initiative (USPMI), emphasized the role of the media in his speech, stressing that the media should provide publicity before, during and after distribution.
Aliyu noted that political interference remains one of the biggest challenges, noting that formidable strategies are being put in place to address the issue of diversion.
Source: dailypost.ng