World Malaria Day: Rivers Targets Malaria-Free State, 2020

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at Nigeria Medical Association Annual Conference in Sokoto yesterday.

Following the scourge of
the malaria disease and its resultant effect on the health and economy of the people of the state, the Rivers State Government has said that it would leave no stone unturned in its fight against malaria and achieving a Malaria Free State come the year 2020.
The programme manager, Malaria Elimination Programme, Rivers State Ministry of Health (RSMOH), Dr Mina Jaja disclosed this during an interview with The Tide in her office, in Port Harcourt, Monday.
Jaja who noted that Rivers State was one of the 24 states with a high burden of malaria in the nation, expressed optimism that with the level of partnership and commitment on the part of the State government, the aim would be achieved.
Describing the theme of this year’s celebration ‘End Malaria for Good’ and slogan ‘Yes, Its Achievable’ as apt, Jaja maintained that should all hands be on deck, it would be achievable.
In her words “indeed, the Rivers State government under the leadership of our able governor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike is doing  best in the fight against malaria but then, the fight is everybody’s business. Everybody-the children, parents, market women, business men, people at all levels are all to join hands’ in this fight. We all need to keep our surroundings clean, go for regular medical check up and treatment and ensure the proper usage of the Longlasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to keep malaria infection at bar and together, yes, its achievable”.
The Malaria Programme Manager further disclosed that to achieving this, the Rivers State government has distributed over 500 insecticide treated mosquito nets to the state civil servants among others with the aim of avoiding the bite and transmission of the infection.
“As part of our activities to mark the day, we have distributed over 500 nets to mostly civil servants, however, other people who came around were also given”. To impact on the day, we have adopted the Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) in order to administer instant treatment on a positive case.
Jaja further lauded the Malaria Elimination Programme partners urging them to keep the pace for an achieved Free Malaria Environment.

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