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Malaria: Nigeria Accounts For 32% Global Deaths …Stakeholders Proffer Solutions
Out of the global annual estimates of 627,000 malaria deaths, Nigeria has been said to account for 200,640 deaths, representing some 32 per cent of the toll in 2013 alone.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, made the disclosure in his state-wide broadcast to mark the 2016 World Malaria Day in Port Harcourt, Monday.
Odagme stated that the year’s theme: ‘End Malaria for Good’, and slogan ‘yes, it’s achievable’, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the percentage is not only reduced to its barest minimum but that the scourge of malaria comes to an end in the country.
According to him, “May I again, use this opportunity to remind the entire good people of Rivers State that ‘the federal, state, local governments, and the private sector in Nigeria hereby commit themselves and all the people to intensive action to attain the goal of malaria-free Nigeria, that is a country where malaria is no longer a public health problem, and malaria-related deaths are less than 1:100,000 population”.
In achieving set targets, Odagme said that the state government has over the past one year, distributed anti-malarial commodities such as Artemisinim Combination Therapy (ACTs) and the long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) through its third party logistics, The Riders of Health.
He said the government has been conducting training and retraining of medical personnel on the current World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on the management of malaria, while providing a robust M & E structure that captures malaria data from all its health facilities.
Odagme said that in addition, the government has been coordinating meetings amongst partners and facilitating prompt dissemination of information to the public on malaria, encouraging the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) for testing prior to use of drugs, conducting advocacy, communication and social mobilization at the state and local government levels, among others.
The commissioner urged all hands to be on deck to ensure a free-malaria nation, saying “together, we join hands today, and say, ‘yes, it’s achievable’”.
Also speaking, the Director, Centre for the Control of Malaria, University of Port Harcourt, Dr Hamilton Ofurum, said that the fight against malaria needs the collaboration of all stakeholders in the state to ensure that the environment and surroundings are kept clean always.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Caroline Wale, during the distribution of free LLTMNs to civil servants in the state, urged Rivers people to embrace the use of LLTMNs, which she said, are the most effective for now in the prevention of malaria, and encouraged all to keep their environment clean and avoid stagnant water, which breeds mosquitoes that spread malaria disease.
The Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Nnanna Onyekwere, said that all water-fronts and bushes around the state capital must be cleared to avoid mosquitoes.
He listed Ahoada, Bori and Port Harcourt, among others, as places where the ministry has distributed free mosquito nets in the last couple of years to reduce the burden of malaria in the rural areas.
Similarly, the Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Felix Obuah, has said that for Rivers State to record a free-malaria regime, the people must improve on their sanitary habit, which he said at present, was very unacceptable.
Obuah, who gave the advise in a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, insisted that the people must keep their environment clean to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes and the spread of malaria.
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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