Malaria: Ministry Urges Proper Use Of Insecticide Nets

The Rivers State Ministry of Health has urged members of the public to ensure the proper use of the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIINs) in order to stay free of the malaria infection.
The Director, Public Health, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Nnana Onyekwere who made the call at a malaria event in Port Harcourt, rencently, regretted that the long lasting insecticide nets otherwise known as the mosquito nets have been grossly misused maintaining that such twas detrimental to the good health of the people as well as the efforts of the state government in combating malaria.
Onyekwere revealed that over 75 per cent of Rivers residents have the mosquito nets regretting however that only about 32 per cent are using it for its purpose.
He said, “rather than using the nets for, what it is meant for, people are using it for goal posts, wedding gowns, farm yards fencing, plate washing, batting among others yet they cry and die of malaria every day, this is wrong”.
While noting that about 800 people die of malaria every hour, Onyekwere stated that this has contributed to manpower loss not only in the state but across the nation.
“There is so much noise about malaria. The government is putting in all efforts including spending millions of naira in malaria combat but these efforts are being thwarted as a result of our attitude. The long lasting insecticide nets is used only for the purposes of preventing mosquito bite and malaria on the long run. Let us use it for the purpose and we will be free of malaria infection”, he said.
The director revealed that the LLINs, come impregnated with an insecticide that kills the insects adding that sleeping under the nets every night prevents mosquito bites and malaria.
He further stressed the need for routine malaria screening and treatment for a malaria free and healthy living.

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