Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has officially flagged off the statewide distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs), a key public health intervention aimed at reducing malaria prevalence across the state.
Speaking at the launch in Akure, the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, stressed that malaria remains one of the greatest health threats to the people, accounting for widespread illness and high death rates, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. He disclosed that Ondo State’s malaria prevalence currently stands at 27 percent but assured that his administration is determined to bring the figure down to single digits.
The Governor explained that proper and consistent use of the insecticide-treated nets will provide protection in households and significantly reduce the burden of malaria. He described the initiative as an extension of his administration’s “OUR EASE” agenda, which seeks to improve the quality of life of citizens by strengthening health systems. According to him, this includes the revitalization of over 100 primary health facilities, the upgrading of secondary health institutions, and the expansion of maternal and child health programs under the Abiyamo Scheme, which guarantees free essential care for mothers and children.
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted reforms in the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme to accommodate informal workers and vulnerable groups, the acquisition of new ambulances for the State Emergency Medical Service, and the establishment of a central medical store of pharma-grade standard to ensure effective logistics for essential drugs. He emphasized that his administration has consistently supported malaria testing and treatment in hospitals, while also scaling up preventive measures across communities.
The Governor expressed gratitude to partners including the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the Global Fund, the World Bank, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, and the Malaria Consortium, commending their sustained collaboration in advancing public health in Ondo State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, appealed to residents to ensure they use the distributed nets correctly to guarantee the success of the campaign. Representing the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Mr. David Oyeleke described the initiative as a significant step in protecting the most vulnerable, recalling that since 2009, Nigeria has distributed more than 500 million treated nets nationwide as part of its fight against malaria.
Delivering goodwill messages, Dr. Samuel Akingbesote, Project Director of IMPACT Malaria, described the programme as not just an investment in health but also in human and social capital, while the World Health Organization’s State Coordinator, Dr. Habibu Yahaha, underscored the preventive benefits of widespread net distribution in reducing the impact of malaria across communities.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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