Kwara sensitizes communities on malaria

Dr Raji Razaq, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, has begun advocacy visits to community leaders in Ilorin on the forthcoming 2020 Net campaign in the state.

The commissioner, who was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Nageri, the Programme Manager, Malaria Elimination Programme, assured the traditional rulers at a meeting in Ilorin of the state government commitment to curbing Malaria to a minimal level.

He stated that all relevant funds to make the exercise a successful one has been released and that the state was set to kick-start the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Net.

Razaq urged the traditional leaders to help sensitise the people of their communities on the importance of the insecticide treated nets and the need to use the nets as directed.

According to him, malaria still constitute great threat to people, particularly pregnant women and children in the community.

Razaq also commended the traditional leaders for taking their time to attend to the health team for the sensitisation.

Mr Femi Olatunbosun, the Chairman of the Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Core Group, explained that this year’s net campaign would be conducted house-to-house.

Olatunbosun appealed for the full support and cooperation of the traditional leaders and members of their communities for the success of the campaign, adding that serious monitoring is needed from the traditional leaders for a smooth exercise.

Responding, Alhaji Adebayo Mohammed, the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, commended the efforts of the health team in reducing malaria in the communities and assured them of the traditional institution support.

Mohammed said that they would commence the mobilisation of their communities on preventive measures.

Also speaking, the Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Suberu, appreciated the Abdulrazaq’s administration for the net campaign and reiterated the commitment of the traditional leaders to ensure the success of the programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other traditional rulers who declared support for the programme included the Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Balogun Alanamu, and Balogun Fulani of Ilorin.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal