The Ekiti State government has commenced plans to ensure effective distribution and usage of treated nets received under the World Bank- assisted IMPACT project.
Speaking at the sub-committee planning meeting initiated to discuss modalities for the effective distribution and usage of the nets in Ado, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and human Services Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun explained that the move was one of the sustainable approaches towards protecting pregnant women and children from malaria disease.
Mrs Gbenga-Igotun who was represented by the Director Public Health, Ministry of Health Dr Yekini Ibrahim stated that the nets will be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries at the public primary health facilities across the state.
She noted that the move was to further improve maternal and child health outcomes of the state as well contributing to the national malaria elimination goals
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the treatment of malaria for children under five years and pregnant women remains free in Ekiti State noting that the government was leaving no stone unturned at ensuring affordable and qualitative healthcare services for the people.
The IMPACT Project Manager Dr Folu Ekundare who spoke on the successes recorded in the prevention of malaria in the state explained that measures must be put in place to assert the replica of 2014 scenario where the nets were not been used for the purpose it was meant for by the beneficiaries.
A resource person at the forum, professor Okoh who dwelt on major prevention strategies of malaria, emphasized the critical role of maintaining a clean environment in the fight against malaria.
Prof Hillary Okoh explained that sleeping inside insecticide treated nets, indoor residual spraying and improved health seeking habit were proactive steps to protect residents.
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Prof Okoh maintained that malaria was treatable and curable adding that negligence in abiding by the preventive measures always result to severe complications.
The sub-committee whose members include stakeholders like religious leader, academia, health and media professionals amongst others resolved on modalities to ensure that deserving pregnant women and fully immunized children at public healthcare facilities receive the free long lasting insecticide mosquito nets across the state.